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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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PhotDgTdphic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

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la 


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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notes  tachniquaa  at  bibliogfaphiquaa 


Tha  Instituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  bast 
ortginat  copy  availabla  for  filming.  Faaturas  of  this 
copy  which  may  ba  biblkographicaily  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  uauai  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


Coloured  covera/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagte 


□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pelliculAe 


pn    Cover  title  missing/ 


D 
0 


D 


D 


Ls  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  mcpa/ 

Cartes  gAoqraphiquas  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


r~y|    Coloured  plates  and/or  iliuatrationa/ 


Planchea  at/ou  illuatrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Rati*  avec  d'autres  documents 


Tight  binding  may  causa  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrie  peuf  cauaar  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distorsion  le  long  de  la  marge  int4rieure 

Blank  laaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pagea  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissant  dans  le  texts, 
mala,  lorsque  ce!a  iitai:  possible,  ces  pagaa  n'ont 
pas  iti  filmias. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentairas  supplimentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm*  le  meilleur  axemplairs 
qu'il  lui  a  ttt  possible  de  se  procurer.  Las  details 
da  cat  axemplaire  qui  sont  peut-*tre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  nodifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  una 
modification  dans  la  m^thoda  normale  de  filmaga 
sont  indiquAs  ci-dessous. 


Tha 
to« 


r~1   CcJioured  pages/ 


Pagea  de  couleur 

Pagaa  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 


□    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restauries  et/ou  pelliculies 

0    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  ddcolories,  tacheties  ou  piquies 

□Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tachies 

QShowthrough/ 
Transparence 

□    Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Qualit*  inAgale  de  I'impression 

□    Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprand  du  matiriel  suppl^mentaire 

□    Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  idition  disponible 


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oft 
film 


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bag 
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sior 
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D 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  psges  totalement  ou  partiellemant 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  peiure. 
etc.,  ont  M  filmies  i  nouveau  de  facon  i 
obtanir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checkad  below/ 

Ca  document  est  fiima  au  taux  de  rMuction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


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1                   ^1 

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L  .  L,                           1 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


ax 


32X 


Th«  copy  fllm«d  hare  has  b««n  reproduced  thanke 
to  the  generoeity  of: 

Douglas  Library 
Queen's  University 


L'exempiaire  fiimi  fut  reproduit  grice  A  la 
ginArosltA  de: 

Douglas  Library 
Queen's  University 


The  images  appearing  here  are  vche  t»est  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specificetlone. 


Originel  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  ere  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  ar^d  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printsd  or  llluatrated  Impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  originel  coplee  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  Impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Las  images  suivantes  ont  4tA  reproduitee  evec  le 
plus  grand  soln,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  nettet*  de  rexamplaire  film*,  et  en 
conformM  evec  les  conditions  du  contret  de 
fllmagc. 

Les  exemplairae  origlneux  dont  le  couverture  en 
papier  eet  ImprimAe  sont  filmte  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminent  soit  par  la 
derni*re  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impreeaion  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  aalon  le  caa.  Tous  lee  autrea  axempleires 
origlneux  sont  fllmis  en  commen^ant  par  la 
premMre  pege  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impreeaion  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminent  per 
la  darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  teile 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  --^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  y  (meening  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  dee  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernlAre  imege  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — »-  signifie  "A  SUiVRE",  le 
symbols  ▼  signifie  "FIN". 


IMaps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
differaiit  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  r.i>  many  frames  aa 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peiivent  ktts 
fllm*s  i  dee  taux  de  rMuction  diff Arents. 
Lorsque  le  document  eet  trop  grend  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  ieul  ciicht,  11  est  film*  i  partir 
de  Tangle  supf  sisur  gauche,  de  gauche  h  droite, 
et  de  haut  er  ^.s,  an  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaira.  Lee  diagrammes  sulvants 
iliustrent  la  mithode. 


1  2  3 


S 


6 


»raDforD  Clulj  ^tvUs. 


NUMBER  SIX. 


lis 


"•'■'flf.,,,   =t  Alt'" 


CidiiYKHSoa  i?  L  H  M  T  O  Sr  *c  IL  A13T, 


<  ffomiin'niiw,  kf  V  Uemn,  mAtp;!ioMntn,rr, Vai .ii/^si-ui 


■Wmtlliwrjjf  . 


TIIK 


\()U  rrrKiJN   i  n  VAsrox 


OK 


OCTOBER   1780 


A  SBBIES  l)K  I'APKUa  MELATINO   TO  THE  EXPEDITIONH  PROM 
CANADA  UNDER  8IR  JOHN   JOHNSON  AND  OTUKltS 


Z^\)t  iTrontters  of  j|?elu  govH 

WHIOB   WIBI   SCFrOSBD    TO    HAVE 

CONNECTION  WITH  ARNOLD'S  TREASON 

PREPARED  FROM  THE  ORIGINALS 

WITH  AN  INTRODUCTIJN  AND  NOTES 

BY 

FRANKLIN  B.  HOUGH 


N  KU"    vol!  K 

M   OCC'C    I,XVI 


L 

EI  a  :5(i  .H  e> 


CLUU  COPY. 


Kntorod  according  to  Act  ofCongresB,  in  the  year  IWXl, 

By  John  B.  Morean, 

Fob  tub  BRAnroRD  CLiw, 

lu  the  ClerkV  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  Htatei 

for  the  Southern  District  of  New  York. 


KUillTV   COl-lEa    I-RINTKl). 


r  II IJ  LIGATION  S 


BRADFORD  CLUB. 


No.    I.— Papers   concerninq    the  Attack   on 

Hatfield  and  Deerfield  .        .        .    jgsg 

"    II.  — The  Croakerh jggQ 

"  III.— The  Operations  of  the  French  Fleet 

UNDER  Count  De  Orasse    . 
"  IV.— Antholooy  of  New  Netherland 
"     v.— Narratives  op  the  Cai..  er  of    . 

De  Soto  in  Florida    . 
"  VI.— Northern  Invasion 


extra  number. 
Memorial  of  John  Allan    . 


1804 
1865 

1866 
186G 

1864 


THE  BRADFOItl)   OIJIB. 


I'ndbr  thiB  iloNim'rmtion,  u  few  goiitlenien,  intorogtod  in  the 
Btudy  of  American  Ilistctry  und  Literature,  propone  ooenHionally 
to  print  limited  editions  of  sucii  munuHcriptM  and  Hcurco 
pnmphleUi  oa  may  be  deemed  of  value  towards  illustrating  these 
subjects.  They  will  seek  to  obtain  for  this  purpose  unpublished 
journals  or  correspondence  eontainiuf;  mutter  worthy  of  record, 
and  which  may  not  properly  be  included  in  the  Historical 
Collections  or  Documentary  Histories  of  the  several  States. 
Such  unpretending  contemporary  chronicles  often  throw 
precious  light  upon  the  motives  of  action  and  the  imperfectly 
narrated  events  of  bygone  days ;  perhaps  briefly  touched  upon 
in  dry  official  documents. 

The  Club  may  also  issue  facsimiles  of  curious  manu.><cripts, 
or  documents  worthy  of  notice,  which,  like  the  printed  issues, 
will  bear  its  imprint. 

"  These  arc  the 
Registers,  the  chronicles  of  the  age 
They  were  written  in,  and  speak  the  truth  of  History 
Better  than  a  hundred  of  your  printed 
Communications. "  —  Sluikerli/  Marmymi's  Antiquary. 

WiLMAM  BnADFORD  — the  first  New  York  Printer— whose 
name  the  Club  has  adopted,  came  to  this  country  in   1682, 


•■ 


i 


VIII 


THE  BRADFORD  CLUB. 


and  established  his  Press  in  the  neighborhood  of  Philadelphia. 
In  1693  he  removed  to  this  City  —  was  appointed  Royal 
Printer  —  and  set  up  his  Press  "at  the  Sign  of  the  Bible." 
For  upwards  of  thirty  years  he  was  the  o-ily  Printer  in  the 
Province,  and  in  1725  published  oui  first  Newspaper — The 
New  York  Gazette.  He  conducted  this  paper  until  1743  when 
he  retired  from  business.  He  died  in  May,  1752,  and  was 
desci  ibcd,  in  an  obituary  notice  of  the  day,  as  "  a  man  oi'  great 
sobriety  and  industry,  a  real  frieud  to  the  poor  and  needy,  and 
kind  and  affable  to  all."  He  was  buried  in  Trinity  Church 
Yard,  by  the  bide  of  the  wife  of  his  youth ;  and  the  loving 
affection  of  relatives  and  friends  reared  a  simple  and  unosten- 
tatious Monument  to  bis  memory. 


i 


CONTENTS. 


Faos. 
Introduction, n 

Letter  from  Colonel  Bellinger,  Sept.  1, 1780, 05 

Letter  from  Colonel  Van  Scliaick  to  Governor  Clinton,  Sept.  0, 
1780 67 

Letter  from  Lieutenant  Colonel  Jansen  to  Governor  Clinton, 
Sept.18,1780 69 

Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Jansen, 
Sept.  18, 1780 69 

Letter  from  Govomor  Clinton  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Newkirk, 
Sept.  18,1780, 70 

I  etter  from  Lieutenant  Colonel  Jansen  to  Governor  Clinton, 
Sept.  19, 1780, 71 

Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  Colonel  Pawling,  Sept  21 
1780, ;      72 

Letter  from  Colonel  J.  Newkirk  to  Governor  Clinton,  Sept.  23, 
1780 73 

Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  General  Washington,  Sept  1 
1780, ,'      74 

Letter  from  General  Robert  Van  Rensselaer  to  Governor  Clin- 
ton, Sept.  4, 1780 76 

Letter  from  Colonel  Patterson  and  others,  to  Governor  Clinton, 
Sept.  11, 1780 77 

Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  persons  in  Cumberland  county, 
Sept.  16,  1780, 78 

Letter  from  Colonel  G.  Van  Schaick  to  Governor  Clinton,  Sept. 
12,1780, 79 

Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  Colonel  G.  Van  Schaick,  Sept 
14,1780, gl 

2 


'^  CONTENTS. 

Extract  from  limngtm's  Hoyal  Gazette,  Sept.  8.S,  1780, ^7l 

Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  General  Schuyler,  Oct.  3, 1780,  82 
Letter  froni  citizens  of  Tryon  county  to  Governor  Clinton  Oct. 

"•/™"' 83 

Petition  from  citizens  of  Tryon  county,  Oct.  C,  1780 85 

Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  Colonel  Kkxk,  Oct.  11, 1780,  87 

Letter  from  Stephen  Lush  to  Governor  Clinton,  Oct.  13, 1780,. .  89 

Articles  of  capitulation  of  Fort  George 93 

Letter  from  Colonel  AV.  Mulcom  to  General  Van  Rensselaer  Oct 

i«'i^«« :..:.■  93 

Letter  from  General  Van  Rensselaer  to  Governor  Clinton  Oct 
1^.1^«0 :....;      94 

Reply  of  Governor  Clinton  to  General  Van  Rensselaer,  Oct  14 
'''^" '.      95 

Account  of  the  attack  upon  Forts  Ann  and  George,  from  Holt's 

Journal,  Oct.  10, 1780 '      ,^r■ 

'  95 

Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  General  Greene,  Oct.  14,  1780,  00 
Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  "General  WashinLrton   Oct  14' 

^'*^"' 97 

Letter  from  Captain  Sherwood  to  Colonel  Henry  Livin-ston 

Oct.  17,  1780 "        '      nn 

Letter  from  General  Heath  to  Governor  Clinton,  Oct.  17, 17(ra,  loi 
Lotter  from  Lieutenant  Colonel  Veeder  to  Henry  Glen   Oct  17 

^™« :...:...:  102 

Letter  from  General  Robert  Van  Rensselaer  to  Governor  Clin- 
ton, Oct.  18,  1780, jjjg 

Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  General  Schuyler,  Oct.  18, 1780,    105 
Letter  from  Lieutenant  Colonel  Barent  L  Staats  to  Governor 
Clinton,  Oct.  18,  1780 ^^y 

Letter  from  ]\[ajor  J.  Lansing  to  Governor  Clinton,  Oct  18 
^™^ .'    107 

Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  General  Washin-non  Oct  18 
!'«"' ."....'........'    108 

Letter  Irom  Governor  Chittenden  of  Vermont  to  Governor 
Clinton,  Oct.  IS,  1780 j^^ 

Le":jr  from  Isaac  Stoutenburgh  to  Governor  Clinton  Oct  19 
17«' '....:..:    113 


^*»»ww«P«!. 


CONTKNTS.  xi 

Letter  from  General  Ten  Brocck  to  Governor  Clinton,  Oct.  li), 
1780 lljj 

Letter  from  General  Ten  Broeck  to  Governor  Clinton,  Oct. 
10,  [1780] 114 

Letter  from  General  Van  Rensselaer  to  Governor  Clinton,  [Oct. 
10,  1T80] 115 

Letter  from  Sampson  Dyckman  to  Governor  Clinton,   [Oct. 
'     19,1780] 117 

Letter  from  General  Robert  Van  Reni3selacr  to  Governor  Clin- 
ton, [Oct.  19,  1780], 117 

Letter  from  Colonel  Lewis  Dubois  to  General  Van  Rensselaer, 
[Oct.  20,  1780], 118 

Letter  from  Colonel  Lewis  Dubois  to  Governor  Clinton,  [Oct. 
20,1780], 119 

Warrant  for  impressing!:  cattle  and  tlour, 120 

A  return  of  ordnance  and  stores  taken  from  the  British  Army 

commanded  by  Sir  John  Johnson,  Oct.  10,  1780 121 

Notice  of  Northern  Livasion  from  Loudon's  Paper,  Oct.  10, 1780,  131 

Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  Governor  Clinton,  Oct.  20, 1780,  123 

Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  General  Schuyler,  Oct.  20, 1780,  125 

Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  Colonel  Klock,  Oct.  23,  1780,  120 

Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  Colonel  Bellinger,  Oct.  23,  1 780,  120 

Order  for  garrisoning  Frontier  Posts,  Oct.  23, 1780, 127 

Letter  from  Colonel  Alexander  Webster  to  Governor  Clinton, 

Oct.  34, 1780 loy 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  CaiJtain  Jonathan  Lawrence,  Junior,  to 

Colonel  Samuel  Drake,  Oct.  24,  1780, 120 

Jlemorial  from  the  Inhabitants  of  Schenectady,  Oct.  34, 1780,. .  131 

Letter  from  Govcriu)r  Clinton  to  Ebenezer  Russell,  Oct.  20,  1780,  133 

Letter  from  Governor  llaklimand  of  Canada,  wiili  hsts  of  casual- 
ties, Oct.  25,  1780 133 

Address  of  the  flavor  and  Common  Council  of  Albany  to  Go- 
vernor Clinton,  Oct.  20,  1780, 137 

Reply  of  Governor  Clinton  to  the  tbregoing  address, 139 

Marching  orders  of  Colonel  Weissenfels,  Oct.  30,  1780, 140 

Letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  Governor  Clinton,  Oct.  37, 

'7«", 140 


I 


Ifl 


a 


II 


*"  CONTENTS, 

Letter  from  General  Ten  Broeck  to  Goyemor  Clirton,  Oct.  29, ''"°'- 
' 142 

Oct  28  ^8^°'^  ^"""^  ^'"'  ^°''' '"  ^'""^''^  '^''"  ^™''^'^' 

'         ' 142 

Letter  from  Governor  Cllntnu  ;o  James  Dimne,  Oct.  29, 1780  143 
Letter  from  Governor  Cli..  on  to  General  Heath,  Oct.  30  1780  147 
Letter  from  General  Ten  Broeck  to  Governor  Clinton,  Oct.  30,' 

Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  General  Washington,"  Oct.  30,    ^^^ 

LeUer  from  Governor  Clmton  to  General  Washington,' Oct.  3l", 

^  term"  T7S'"'''''  ^"''^°S'°°  '"  «°^«™°'  Clinton,  Novem' 

„  ,  ' 159 

Proceedmgs  of  a  Court  of  Inquiry  upon  the  conduct  of  General 

Robert  Van  Rensselaer,  March,  1781 ^g^ 

Memorial  of  the  Supervisors  of  Tryon  County '.'.'.."..'    309 

Tabular  Summary  of  Casualties  in  Tryon  County '..'.'.'.."     216 

Index, ! 

217 


PREFACE. 


Few  regions  have  presented  more  frequent  or  more  tragic  examples 
of  the  horrors  of  war  tlian  did  the  Moliawk  valley  during  the 
American  Revolution.  The  settlements  extending  in  a  narrow  strip 
up  into  the  wilderness,  more  than  fifty  miles  beyond  the  general 
outline  of  the  frontiers,  were  exposed  on  every  side  and  at  all  times 
to  an  attack  of  the  enemy,  who,  favored  by  long  lines  of  water 
communication,  could  approach  from  the  north,  west  or  soutli,  strike 
at  the  most  exposed  points,  and  retire  before  pursuit  could  be  made. 

If  we  bear  in  mind  that  the  hostile  parties  who  infested  this  region 
were  often  made  up  of  tliose  who  had  been  former  inhabitants  of  the 
valley,  or  at  least  were  always  led  by  those  who  had  been  forced  from 
theu-  homes  by  the  events  of  the  war,  and  were  inflamed  with  the 
fiercest  revenge  against  their  former  neighbors,  whom  they  often 
found  enjoying  the  property  from  which  they  had  been  driven,  we 
may  well  infer  that  this  partizan  warfare  would  be  active,  unrelenting 
and  cruel. 

The  events  of  this  period  upon  the  western  frontiers  of  New  York 
could  never  be  forgotten  by  the  survivors  or  their  descendants,  and 
most  of  the  traciitions  gathered  from  the  aged  witnesses,  or  received 
at  second  hand  from  their  accounts,  have  passed  into  written  nar- 
ratives, and  claim  credit  as  history.     Although  founded  upon  facts, 


XIV 


I'KEFACE. 


liiid  in  the  main  correct,  as  to  time,  place  and  circumstances,  many  of 
these  narrativcH  are  warped  by  pn-judico  or  inflamed  by  passion,  and 
none  of  tlieni  can  claim  tjic  merit  of  presenting  tlie  motives  whicli 
actuated  tliosc  wlio  controlled  the  nnlitary  movements  of  the 
occasion,  the  information  ui.on  which  they  acted,  or  the  difllculties 
they  had  to  overcome 

The  sufferers  from  an  incursion  of  the  enemy  could  see  that  no  relief 
came,  although  timely  applicition  had  been  made;  but  they  could 
not  know  the  reasons  that  prevented.  They  knew  that  the  enemy 
liad  escaped  wiih  impunitj-,  and  miglit  very  bitterly  complain  of  tho 
result,  which,  under  all  the  circumstances,  absolutely  could  not  bo 
prevented. 

This  reflection  has  often  occurred  to  the  editor  of  this  volume  in 
looking  through  the  public  records  o'  the  revolution.    But,  perhaps, 
in   nouL  o.    these  are  the   generally  received    accounts,  and    tho 
inferences  derived  therefrom,  more  widely  different  1,   ni  truth  than 
those  relating  to  the  invasions  from  Canada  in  the  autumn  of  1780, 
in  which  the  enemy's  main  body,  under  Sir  .J(.hn  Johnson,  after 
sweeping  throuifh  the  Schoharie  and  JVfohawk  valleys,  destroying 
every  thing  left  by  former  invasions  and  not  guarded  by  force,  eluded 
pursuit,  and  returned  with  comparatively  small  loss  to  Canada.    The 
official  documents  relating  to  this  invasion  were  found  so  ftdl  and 
ample,  that  it  was  thought  advisable  to  collect  and  preserve  them 
together,  to  the  end  that  history  nnght  stand  corrected,  so  fiir  as  it 
related  to  these  events,  although  at  variance  with  every  statement 
hitherto  published  concerning  them. 

In  arranging  these  papers,  attention  has  been  paid  to  connection  of 
subjects  rather  than  to  strict  order  of  time,  and  the  documents  have 
been  used    without   abridgment,  although  sometimes    relating   to 


111 


PRKFACE. 


XV 


subjects  not  connected  with  the  principal  events  in  view.  It  was 
not  deemed  necessary  to  extend  the  series  by  including  tlie  papers 
relating  to  exchange  of  prisoners,  and  otlier  subjects  incidcutal!y 
resulting  from  tlic  invasion  described  ;  but  It  is  believed  enoi'  !i  will 
l)c  found  to  justify  the  conclusion  that  no  charge  of  inettlcicncy, 
cowardice  or  intentional  wrong  can  be  properly  laid  against  tliose 
acting  under  the  authority  of  the  state  upon  that  occasion. 


"  THIS  ENTERPRISE   OP   THE  ENEMY,  IS  PROBABLY 
THE  EFFECT  OF  ARNOLD'S  TREASON." 

Oov.  Clintun  to  Oen.  Wtmhington,  Oct.  17,  178O. 

"IT  IS  THOUGHT,  AND  PERHAPS  NOT  WITHOUT 
FOUNDATION,  THAT  THIS  INCURSION  WAS  MADE, 
UPON  THE  SUPPOSITION  THAT  ARNOLD'S  TREACHERY 
HAD  SUCCEEDED." 

Washington  to  President  of  Congress,  Oct.  21, 1780. 


iiii 


li 


'i 


>h  J] 

I 
s 


'il4  ri 
■4  'I 


w 


6P 


'^(<^^,^  r^,    , 


/ 


7 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  invasion  of  tho  Indian  settlements  upon  tlio 
QcncBec  by  General  Sullivan,  in  the  autumn  of  177!), 
occasioned  great  d'  ess  among  the  natives,  who  were 
driven  to  seek  shelter  at  Fort  Niagara.  The  destruction 
had  been  sweeping,  and  the  miseries  which  followed, 
during  the  liard  winter  of  1779-80  wer  severe;  hut 
although  crops  and  settlements  were  laid  waste,  most 
of  the  Indian  warriors  escaped,  and  very  naturally 
soon  began  to  meditate  plans  of  revenge.  The  villages 
of  the  Oneida  tribe  friendly  to  the  Americans,  were 
menaced  during  the  winter,  and  while  tho  snow  yet 
lay  deep  in  the  forests,  and  the  streams  were  bridged 
with  ice,  the  war  parties  of  Brant  and  Butler  began  active 
hostilities,  along  the  whole  northern  and  western  fron- 
tiers of  New  York.  Tliese  incursions,  although  not 
accompanied  by  scenes  of  butchery,  like  those  perpe- 
trated at  Wyoming  and  Cherry  Valley,  were  still 
marked  with  incidents  of  thrilling  terror,  and  were 
attended  with  great  loss  of  property ;  many  prisoners 
were  led  into  captivity,  many  lives  were  sacrificed,  and 
8 


1    •Sv^mili^^A-ii^ioMX 


18 


INTUoniJCTlON. 


tho  Ki-ontoHt  nlun.i  w.vh  Hpiva.l  tl.f<.,.Kl...iif  tl.o  bonlor 
coiiiitirH. 

Tho  firnt  oftlu-ir  li<.stilt.  pn,-tio«  appoaivd  on  tho  XMh 
"'•  M.nvl.,  1780,  at  l^inu-nHnyU  ,-•«  |J„sl.,  fo,„.  ...iloH 
north  of  th.  Littio  KallH,  wh.ro  thoy  took  ( 'aptal,,  John 
Ko^Hor,  hiH  two  HonH  and  two  othoi-  i.nH,m...H,  kilk..I 
one  .nan,  hun.o.l  tho  oaj.tain'H  houno,  killo.l  Iuh  Mtook, 
nn.l  lofV  hiK  wito  nuO  bahcK  (lostituto.     A  ho.Iy  of  militia 
wan  c.ailo,l  out,  b„t  from  want  of  nnow  hIiooh  couM  not 
l).n-8uo.     Tho  party  wa«  roportod  ahont  My  in  nnmbor, 
ohiofly  torios  <liHn.„iHod  aH  HidianH,  and  from  tlioir  traokn 
thoy  appoarod  to  havo  oonio  from  tho  country  of  tho 
F.vo  Xations.     It  was  Htron,t,dy  Hnspootod,  that  some 
""fnon.lly  Onoidas  ha<l  boon  privy  to  thin  movemont, 
iind  had  harl»orod  tho  party." 

Six  .luyn  hitor,  about  ono  Inuuh-od  Indians  from 
('anada.with  tln-oo  torioH  from  i^ailHton  and  Tryon 
Hin-priso<l  a  huu.II  post  at  HkoenoHborough,  oapturod  its 
l.ttlo  n-arrison  of  tbiitoon  men,  killed  and  scalpo.!  a 
nmn  and  his  wife,  burnt  «ovoral  buildin.i;8,  and  retired 
<lown  tho  lake  <m  the  ice,  by  the  way  they  eame.' 

On  tho  8d  of  April,  a  pa,^-  of  tones  and  Indians 
saul  to  bo  sixty  Im  n.nnbor  roturnod  to  lioimonsnydor's 
nn.sh,  burnt  a  mill,  and  .-arrio,!  off  ninotoon  prisoners 
from  that  settlomont  northward  into  (^ma.hi.  On  the 
fiiinio^-,  a  block-house  on  the  Saconda-a,  north  of 


'  Clinton  Piiivn,  No.  3,7r)l. 


2,7r,M, 


':Z  ai 


INTltormCTlON. 


i!) 


.loliiiMtowii,  wiiH  iittiK  kod  liy  a  piirty  (irMcvoii  IndiiitiH, 
wli(>iitt»'m|iU'<l  to  hit  it  oil  tiro,  hut  worn  itrcvt-iitod  liy  tlio 
activity  and  lioldiu-MH  ofoiio  man,  \U  hoIo  ()ccii|miit,'  who 
i'.\tiii,i,'iiiHlH'd  tlio  tiro  and  Hcvoroly  wounded  one  of  tlie 
nund)i'r.  When  thoy  had  rotired,  ho  rallied  wix  otherH, 
pufrtuod  and  kiMod  the  whole  of  the  invading  \>M'ty. 

On  the  7tli  of  April,  llrant  with  a  nnndl  party  of 
torioH  and  Indiaiw,  on  their  way  to  Hurpriae  8chohane, 
oanio  u[»on  a  few  men  tinder  Capt.  Alexander  Jfarpor, 
engairod  in  making,'  maple  Hugar  at  irarperstield. 
Three  of  the  nund)er  \\\'i\'  killed,  and  eleven  or  twelve 
taken  priHonerH  to  Niupiru.*  It  irt  Haid  that  Urant  vvaH 
disHuaded  from  liirttirHt  doHij^n  of  Htrikiiigat  Sehoharie, 
by  the  tiotitiouH  deelarationrt  of  Captain  Harper,  tliat 
large  reinforcements  had  arrived  at  that  place.  On 
thin  expedition,  Brant  detached  a  HnuUl  [)arty  whieli 
foil  upon  the  Minirtink  Hottlement,  and  brought  off 
Hovoral  prisonerrt. 

Siniultanoourt  with  tli-jsc  events,  intoUigenoe  was 
brought  to  the  commaiider-in-ohiof,  of  preparations  by 
the  enemy,  in  the  collection  of  munitions,  horses,  ves- 
sels and  boats,  whicli  seemed  to  indicate  an  intention 
of  operating  in  force  against  the  American  posts  on 
the  Kudson. 

These  events  occurring  at  so  early  a  period,  seemed  to 


'  Solomon  Woodward. 

>  CampfxWH  Tryon  County,  Ist  ed.,  159  i  Stone'n  Life  of  lirunf,  ii,  50 : 
^tm»w'«  Schchiiru  County,  335.  Captain  Harper  remained  a  captive  till 
November  38,  1783. 


20 


INTRODUCTION. 


indicate  a  troubloHoiiie  und  dangerous  sunmier  on  the 
frontiers.  The  minds  of  tlie  inhabitants  were  filled 
with  the  most  gloomy  ai^prehonsions,  and  Colonel 
Yates  in  writing  from  Palatine  upon  the  Mohawk, 
'  tnnatcd,  (hat  uidoHs  a  number  of  troops  sufficient  to 
protect  the  settlements  could  be  sent  up,  very  few  of 
the  inhabitants  in  that  section  would  remain. 

"  The  country,"  said  he,  "  is  very  extensive,  and  lies 
open  on  all  sides  to  the  inroads  of  the  savages.     I  need 
not  describe  to  you  the  distresses  of  such  as  are  obliged 
to  abandon  their  habitations,  and  the  consequent  dis- 
tress an  -   'iconvenience,  of  such  as  they  fly  to  for  refuge, 
besides  the  preventing  of  which,  the  crops  now  in  the 
ground,  and  those  to  be  put  in,  must  (I  should  rather  say 
ought  to)  be  saved,  or  there  will  be  famine  to  those  who 
are  now  residing  liere.    I  have  every  opportunity  to  -ion- 
vince  myself,  that  people  have  bread  for  no  longer  than 
the  ensuing  harvest.    Indeed  too  many  have  not  that." ' 
These  inroads  upon  the  frontiers,  called  for  active 
measures  for  the  public  safety.     Guards  were  stationed 
at  various  points  on  the  upper  Mohawk,  and  the  militia 
were  ordered  to  keep  themselves  in  readiness  to  march 
at^ minute's  warning,  ujou  a  given  signal. 

Wlinton  Papers,  No.  2,751.  Col.  Christopher  P.  Yate.,  the  writer  of 
tho  above,  was  a  leading  patriot  of  Tryon  county,  and  chainnan  of  the 
committee  of  correspondence  at  tlic  beginnhig  of  the  war.  He  served 
as  a  captain  and  afterward  as  a  colonel  of  militia,  and  was  the  first 
county  clerk  under  .tate  appoin.nu.nt.  He  represented  Montgomery 
county  m  assembly  five  years,  and  died  on  his  farm  three  miles  west  of 
Canajoliarie,  and  a  mile  from  tlie  r" -er,  .Ian.  21,  1814,  at  the  age  of 


INTitODUCTION. 


21 


Before  further  tracing  the  c\  erta  of  1780,  we  will 
brictly  dcHcrihe  the  extent  of  the  Hcttlenients  in  Alhaiiy 
and  Tryon  counties,  and  the  defenses  then  existing  foi- 
their  protection. 

The  Mohawk  valley,  at  the  beginning  of  the  revolu- 
tion, had  a  population  of  about  ten  thousand,  scattered 
along  in  a  narrow  belt  as  far  west  as  the  present  town 
of  German  Flatts,  in  Herkimer  county.     Northward, 
the  settlements  extended  to  a  short  distance  beyond 
Johnstown.     Towards  the    south,   they  had   reached 
the  head  waters  of  the  Susquehanna,  and  in  tlie  valley 
of  the  Schoharie  creek,  to  about  seven  miles  beyond 
Middleburgh.     Nortlnvard  of  Albany,  they  were  thinly 
scattered  over  the  southern  and  eastern  ])ortions  of  the 
present  county  of  Saratoga,  and  in  Washington  (then 
Charlotte)  county,  to  Skeenesborough,  now  Whitehall. 
Small  settlements  had  been  conmienced  on  the  western 
shores  of  Lake  Champlain,  and  considerable,  yet  widely 
scattered  improvements  had  been  made  in  Cumberland 
county,  then  claimed  by  New  York,  but  now  included 
in  Vermont.     At  the  beginning  of  hostilities,  many  of 
the  inhabitants   decided  to  support  the  royal  cause 
especially  amo.g  the  Scotch  settlers  near  Johnstown, 
although  loyalists  were  found  in  aln>ost  every  district 
in  the  colony. 

Their  relative  number  was  not  large,  but  their  fami- 
lies often  remained  in  the  country,  a  burden  upon 
society,  and  objects  of  constant  suspicion  and  jealousy 
with  those  friendly   to  the   American   cause.     They 


22 


INTRODUCTION. 


liarborecl  the  eiieinies'  si.ioH,  procurocl  infurniatioii, 
and  secretly  fiivored  his  movements  as  opportunities 
offered.  TJioso  wlio  had  fled  to  tlie  enemy  to  l)ear 
arms  for  the  king,  proved  the  most  dangerous  and 
vindictive  of  partizans,  being  thoroughly  acquainted 
with  the  topograi.hy  of  the  country,  and  familiar  with 
every  road  and  stieam  and  valley,  that  would  favor  the 
movcmeuts  of  an  invading  party,  or  of  a  lurking  foe 

The  invasion  of  General  Burgoyne,  from  the  north, 
and  repeated  inroads  upon  the  Mohawk  frontiers,  had 
entirely  broken  up  the  feeble  beginnings  upon  Lake 
Chamiilain,  and   the  thriving  settlements  of  Cherry 
Valley,    Newtown-Martin,   Springfield,    Ilarpersfield, 
and    Vndrustown,  southward  of  the  Mohawk.     Over 
six  hundred  persons  from  Tryon  county  alone,  had 
gone   off  to  tlie  enemy,  and  hundreds   of  fiirms   all 
around   the  borders  of  civilization,  were   abfindoned 
Ijy  their  owners,  or  destroyed  by  the  enemv,  leavinsr 
dreary  solitudes  in  places  that  had  lately  been  enli- 
vened by  industry,  and  with  here  and  there  a  heap  of 
rubbish  to  mark  the  site  of  what  had  been  a  home. 

During  the  French  and  Indian  wars,  fortifications 
had  been  erected  at  various  points  along  the  frontiers, 
and  the  troubles  of  the  revolution  led  to  the  construc- 
tion of  stockades  around  dwellings  at  numerous  places 
throughout  the  country,  for  sheltering  of  the  inhabitants 
in  times  of  danger. 

The  number  of  these  outposts  having  led  to  a  greater 
distribution  of  the  troops  available  for  their  defense 


FNTKODUCTION. 


23 


than  was  thou,e:lit  desirable,  the  board  of  war,  about 
the  middle  of  Alarch,  decided  to  break  up  several 
minor  stations,  inoluding  those  at  Schenectady,  Scho- 
harie, Johnstown,  Fort  Plank,  Oneida  Castle,  Half 
Moon  Point,  New  City,  Saratoga,  Fort  Edward, 
and  Skeenesborough.  The  events  upon  the  frontiers, 
already  noticed,  induced  Governor  Clinton  to  retain 
some  of  those  at  Skeenesborough,  Fort  Plank,  lior- 
kinier,  Schoharie,  and  Fort  Edward, 

Fort  Schuyler,  on  the  site  of  the  present  village  of 
Rome,    was   tlien   the   most   important  post   on   the 
frontier,  and  of  sufRcient  strength  to  resist  a  large 
force.*     During  a  part  of  the  summer  of  1780,  it  was 
garrisoned  by  Colonel  Van  Schaick  of  the  Continentixl 
troops,   but   early  in  September,   he  was  ordered  to 
join  the  grand  army,  and  Major  Hughes  M'as  left  in 
command.     It  was  the  frontier  post  on  the  Mohawk, 
and  nearly  thirty  miles  beyond  the  settlements.     Fort 
Herkimer  on  the  south  bank  of  the  IVfohawk,  opposite 
the  mouth  of  West  Canada  creek,  and  Fort  Dayton  in 
the  present  village  of  Hei-kimer,  were  then  garrisoned 
by  small  bodies  of  troops.     At  the  former,  a  company 
of  fifteen  men  had  been  stationed  during  the  winter 
imdcr  Lieutenant  John  Smith,  for  the  protection  of 
military  stores.     Their  time  had  expired  in  April,  and 
they  were  clamoring  for  thcii-  discharge.     Fort  Plain, 


'A  return  of  artillery  at  Fort  Schuyler,  made  November  33,  1780, 
showed  that  there  were  then  23  cannon  and  (i  mortars,  mostly  iron' 
pieces  and  nioimted  for  garrison  use, 


24 


INTRODIK  TION. 


Hi!" 


half  a  mile  west  of  tlio  present  village  of  that 
name,  and  Fort  Hunter,  east  of  the  Schoharie  creek, 
near  its  confluence  with  the  Mohawk,  were  works  that 
could  oppose  a  liand  attack.  In  tho  Schoharie  settle- 
ments there  were  three  small  forts,  and  on  the  nortliern 
frontier  there  were  forts  with  feehle  garrisons  at  Lake 
George,  Fort  Ann,  Skeenesborough,  Fort  Edward,  and 
a  few  other  points.  Some  of  these  Avere  mere  block- 
houses, others  were  old  works  in  partial  ruin,  and 
Tione  of  them  of  sufficient  strength  to  resist  a  vigorous 
assault. 

The  territorial  divisions  of  Albany  and  Tryon  coun- 
ties as  they  existed  in  1780,  will  be  understood  by 
reference  to  the  aecompanjang  map.' 

The  militia  of  that  portion  of  the  state  not  in  the 
power  of  the  enemy,  was  organi^-ed  into  forty-five 
reginients,  of  Avhich  seventeen  were  in  Albany,  one  in 
Charlotte,  one  in  Cumberland,  eight  in  Dutchess,  three 
in  Orange,  five  in  Tryon,  four  in  Ulster,  and  six  in 
Westchester  counties.  Of  these,  two  were  composed 
wholly  of  exempts,  and  in  addition  to  the  regimental 
oi-ganizations  above  enumerated,  there  were  twenty- 
five  companies  of  associated  exempts,  whose  oflicers 
had  received  commissions  from  the  state  council  of 
appointment.  The  militia  were  only  called  out  as 
occasional  alarms  or  invasions  made  it  necessary,  the 


'  The  colonial  act  dividing  Albany  and  Tryon  counties  into  dis- 
tricts, was  passed  ]\rarcli  32,  1772,  and  amended  March  8,  177EJ,  by 
changing  the  names  of  the  districts  as  given  in  tlie  map. 


INTROnrCTION. 


25 


duty  of  guardin^^  the  advanced  posts,  hcmg  eliiefly 
entrusted  to  detachments  from  the  Continental  army, 
and  to  levies  raised  from  time  to  time,  and  usually  for 
hut  short  periods,  for  the  sjiecial  duty  of  defending 
I  lie  frontiers. 

During  the  summer  of  1770,  two  distinct  corps  of 
five  hundred  men  each,  had  hecn  ordered  hy  the  legis- 
lature  for  this  sei-vice,  and  placed  under  Lieutenant 
Colonels  Albert  I'awling  and  Henry  K  Van  Rens- 
selaer. To  replace  these,  u  law  was  passed  March 
11th,  1780,  for  raising  eight  hundred  men  by  detach- 
ments from  the  state  militia,  whenever  congress  should 
declare  that  these  troops  should  be  paid  and  subsisted 
by  the  United  States.  The  necessary  action  was  taken 
by  congress  on  the  4th  of  April,  but  the  levies  were 
not  raised  and  organized  in  time  to  prevent  the  mis- 
chief against  which  they  were  intended  to  guard.  Yet 
there  was  no  needless  delay  in  perfecting  these  plans, 
and  the  correspondence  of  the  period  shows,  that  while 
the  inhabitants  along  the  frontiers  were  trcnd)lin<r  at 
the  premonitions  of  coming  dangers,  the  executive  was 
making  every  eftbrt  to  meet  the  emergencies  of  the 
impending  crisis. 

The  commander-in-chief  was  at  this  time  embarrassed 
by  the  expiration  of  the  i)eriod  of  enlistment  of  many 
troops  in  the  Continental  army,  and  the  governors  of 
Xcw  Jersey  and  Xew  ^'oi-k  were  requested  to  take 
measures  for  assendding  the  militia  in  case  of  dan<>-er 
and  to  detach  a  i)ortion  for  garrison  duty  until  a  reor- 
4 


26 


iNTRonirrriON. 


ganizatioii  could  l.o  oftootod.  Tlic  lettera  of  ooniniand- 
iug  officers  at  thiw  period  were  Inirdened  with  comi.laintM 
oftlie  scarcity  of  provisions,  wliicli  greatly  delayed  all 
military  movenieiits,  and  demanded  tlie  most  active 
exertions  to  keep  the  anny  8np])lied. 

We  will  noM'  resume  our  narrative  of  events  upon 
the  frontiers.     On  the  2yth  ol'  April,  a  prisoner  taken 
at  Skeeneshorough,  escaped  from  prison  at  Montreal, 
and  in  fifteen  days  reached  home,  with  intelligence  that 
extensive  preparations  were  being  made  for  an  invasion 
■from  Canada.     Col.  Jacob  Klock,  on  the  12tli  of  .May, 
wrote  to  the  governor  from  Fort  Paris,  in  the  Stone 
Arabia  settlement,  that  lie  had  evidence  that  convinced 
him  of  the  approach  of  Sir  John  Johnson  towards 
Johnstown,  and  that  Bran't  with  a  band  of  tories  and 
Indians,  was  exi)ected  to  fall  at  the  same  time  upon 
Canajoharie.  These  events  would  have  happened  befoi-e 
this  date,  had  not  the  melting  snows  and  spring  floods 
prevented.    The  disaffected  throughout  the  valley  were 
expecting  these  movements,  and  it  was  rumored  that 
considerable  bodies  of  tories  had  been  enrolled,  for  the 
purpose  of  .joining  the  invaders  wher  they  appeared.' 

» We  have  been  more  minute  in  stating  tliese  fiicts,  to  rorreet  an 
error  of  tlie  late  Williiini  L.  Stone  in  liin  IJfi  of  Ihaiit.  He  nays, 
"  TIi(*lirst  J)low  was  as  sudden  as  it  was  unexpected,  especially  from' 
the  (juarter  whence  it  came.  On  Sunday  the  21  si  of  Atay,  at  dead  of 
night,  Sir  .lohn  .lohnson  entered  the  north  part  of  .Johnstown  — 
*  *  *  ;  '■•"'I  s"  I'litirely  unawares  had  lie  stolen  upon  the 
sleeping  inhabitants,  that  he  anived  in  the  heart  of  the  country  un- 
discovered except  l)y  the  resident  loyalists  who  were  probably  in  the 
secret."— Z?/(?(/  Ihtint,  ii.  72, 


INTRODUCTION. 


27 


Those  rumors  tluvw  tlie  country  into  the  gi-cutost 
aliinn,  aiid  ('ol.  Van  SiOiaick  writinj;  from  Albany  of 
the  17tli  of  .\Jay,  informed  tlie  ajovernor  that  he  was 
reeeivini;  hourly  upplieations  from  the  north  and  west 
for  aid,  that  the  more  remote  settk^nents  wei-e  (hiilv 
hroakins?  u])  and  movinj?  (h>\vn  the  country,  and  tliat 
unless  Homethinir  was  speedily  done  to  clieek  the  alai-m, 
tlie  Avhole  region  west  of  Schenectady  and  north  of 
Albany  would  he  abandoned.     Under  these  circum- 
stances one  half  of  Genei-al  Ten  Broeck's  brigade  was 
ordered  out,  to  meet  the  coming  invasion.     The  reo-i- 
ments  of  Colonels  Yates,  Van  Woert,  Schoonhoven 
and  McCrca  had  assembled  at  Saratoga  on  the  20th  of 
May.      On   the    18tli,   trooi)s  were   dispatched    from 
Albany  for   Stone  Arabia,  and  other  ieinforcements 
were  hastened  forward  for  the  defense  of  the  valley 
as   they   could  be   assembled.      Five    full    regiments 
were  ordered    into  Tryon  county  and    the  Schoharie 
settlements,  but  as   it  was  still    uncertain  where   the 
blow  would  fall,  they  were  held  in  reserve  until  the 
movements  of  the  enemy  could  be  definitely  ascer- 
tained. 

In  the  meantime  Sir  John  Johnson  with  a  force 
reported  as  consisting  of  four  hundred  whites,  from  his 
t)wn  and  Sutler's  regiments,  and  the  regulars  with 
two  hundred  Indians,  proceeded  in  vessels  up  Lake 
Champlain  to  Crown  I»oint.'     Leaving  his  boats  and 


'  r'liiitoii  /'iijurn.  No.  3,S!);i. 


I 


28 


INTHODUrTJON. 


T 


ve88t«l8  Ht  the  head  of  ]{„Iwa.srga  hay,  muler  a  small 
,t?nar(l,  lie   Htnick  into   the  forcHt  toward  the    upper 
IIiidHon,  and  from  thenc-o  following;  up  the  Sacondaga 
valley,  he  appeared  on  Sunday  night.  May  2lHt,  at  his 
former  residenee  near  Johnstown.     There  was  at  this 
period   a  stoekade    around    the    court-house,   with    a 
gari-ison  sufKeient  for  its  defense,  hut  too  feehle  for 
hostile    movements.     Without    spending  time   upon 
this,  ],e  detached  a  part  of  his  force,  to  proceed  further 
down  the  river  and  strike  the  Moliawk  at  or  helow 
Trihe's  hill.     Their  route  led  along  flimiliar  roads, 
and  through   friendly  neighhorhoods.     The   invaders 
were  minutely  informed  of  every  circumstance  that 
could   favor  or  impede    t^ieir  movements,  and    the 
political hias  of  every  inhahitant  was  well  known;  the 
victims  of  revenge  were  selected,  and  the  details  of  their 
operations  were  arramred 

A  little  hefore  dayhreak  on  Monday  morning,  the 
hlow  fell,  and  their  course  up  the  valley  from  Trihe's 
hill  to  the  Xose,'  was  marked  hy  scenes  of  confla- 
gration, pillage  and  murder;  yet  even  in  this,  the  hand 
of  the  destroyer  was  somewhat  stayed,  and  no  violence 
was  offered  to  women  and  children.^'  The  houses  of 
tories  were  spared,  and  great  numbers  of  loyalists 
jomed  the  mvaders  upon  their  return  towards  Johns- 

p  34a     ^"'*^^'  ''^^'■'""'  "'  ^^'  "^'"l  i"  «'«»**'*  Schoharie  County, 


INTKODUCTTON. 


29 


town.  In  tlio  moaiitiino,  a  (jiiantity  of  plate  an<l 
troasure  wliidi  had  been  buried  at  tlie  baronial  hall 
by  a  tiiithful  Hlave,  after  its  al)andouinent  in  177(5,  wan 
recovered  by  Sir  John,  and  having  accoTnjtliHhed  the 
main  objects  of  the  expedition,  he  prepared  for  his 
return  to  Canada.  Excepting  ten  or  a  dozen  houses 
owned  by  tories,  every  dwelling  on  the  route  of  the 
invaders,  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Mohawk,  for  a 
distance  of  over  ten  miles  had  been  burned ;  many 
prisoners  were  taken,  and  nund)ers  of  negro  slaves 
were  recovered  by  their  former  manters. 

On  the  evening  of  the  same  day.  Sir  John  retired  to 
Mayiield,  where  he  encamped.  On  the  first  day  he 
proceeded  seven  miles,  and  on  the  second  fourteen,  his 
course  being  in  the  direction  of  Lake  Champlain.  A 
party  of  militia  nnder  Colonels  Harper  and  Vrooman, 
and  a  body  of  trooi)H  from  Schenectady  under  Colonel 
Van  Schaick,  undertook  to  pursue  him,  bnt  want  of 
provisions  delayed  their  movements  until  they  wei'e 
too  late  for  ettect.  Governor  Clinton  hastened  from 
Kingston  upon  the  first  alarm,  and  with  such  troops  as 
he  could  rally  in  Albany  and  Charlotte  counties, 
marched  to  Fort  George.  Ordering  Major  Allen  and 
Colonel  Warner  to  meet  him  at  Ticonderoga,  with 
such  militia  as  could  be  rallied  on  the  New  Hamp- 
shire Grants,  he  finally,  on  the  eighth  day  after 
leaving  Kingston,  succeeded  in  crossing  Lake  George, 
from  whence  he  hastened  to  Crown  Point;  but  the 
retreating  enemy  were  safe  beyond   pursuit,   having 


I 


30 


INTI{(>I)|'(  TION. 


irn 


cnilmrkod  hIx  li„Mrs  |„.r,„,.  (;„■  St.  Jolm.'  Tlio  (lolav 
'"  I'l-cciirino-  iH.i.ts  and  provisioiiH  ut  Lake  (Jcortro  l„u| 
<lisa|.|M.ii,tcMl  l.iH  HfortH,  and  iift.-r  takin^sr  jnoaHuivs  for 
<'<'Vi"rin.i;  tli(>  frontier  a.irainst  tiirtlicr  inn.ad  lion. 
Canada,  In-  rctunicd.'- 

I'nl.lic  nini..r  liad  led  t..  an  i'.\|.ccta(i..n  ..fan  attack 
'''•'>"i  the  westward  innler  IJrant,  l.nt  if  tliin  laid 
ori.i,riMally  been  intended,  son.o  event  had  thus  fur 
l>revented  its  execution.  The  protection  of  the  Mohawk 
settlements  was,  however,  of  the  utmost  importance, 
iind  the  condition  of  Fort  Schuyler  especially  called 
f..r  prompt  action  on  the  part  of  the  conimander-in- 
ehief  The  militia  of  Tryon  county  had  for  a  long 
l)eriod  heen  relied  upon  for  .rarrison  duty  at  this  post, 

and  the  dangers  that  hung  over  their  fannlies  made  these 
soldiers  restive  under  the  restraints  of  this  service,  and 
anxious  to  he  at  tlicir  homes  for  their  protection.  This 
feeling  had  increased  until  it  almost  amounted  to  open 
mutiny,  and  early  in  the  summer,  General  Washington 
ordered  Colonel  Van  Schaick  with  two  hundred  and 
tifty  levies  to  proceed  thither.  The  recent  movements 
of  tlie  enemy  had  appeared  to  menace  this  post,  and 
common  prudence  demanded  that  it  should  be  secured 


'  Clinton  Papers,  2,072,  2,fl7!J.  Tliu  governor  expryssfd  his  gratifl- 
cntioii  at  tlie  proniptuess  with  wliich  the  trooiis  from  tlie  Grants  were 
niised  and  niarelied  to  liis  aid. 

•■'Aiiecdotf.s  of  tills  passage  down  tlie  lakes  by  Governor  Clinton, 
lire  given  by  the  author  of  tho  ."icjw/cmir!/ (coition  of  1800,  p.  177)' 
but  with  a  mistake  in  the  time,  wliieh  is  there  given  as  following  the 
invasion  of  Oetober,  which  forms  the  principal  sul.jeet  of  this  volume. 


iNTunmirTiov. 


81 


tijifuiiiHt  ii  HiirpriHc,  iiikI  jirovirtloiied  a^iiiiiHt  (laii^or 
from  a  HU'go.  The  luilitia  who  wore  ho  (Hscoiitontod  in 
pirrirtoii,  would  not  bo  tho  Iohs  rcliuble  for  the  i>nl)Iie 
defeiiHO,  and  tliey  j^hidly  embraced  the  opportunity  of 
j^uardinj;  tlie  minor  poHtH  that  were  wattered  throutcii 
the  settlements,  and  nearer  their  own  homcH.  Their 
dirtcontent  wan  in  no  dej^ree  inspired  l»y  cowardice, 
but  by  a  i\atural,  and  ])erhapH  pardonal)!e  anxiety  to 
i»e  with  tlieir  familieH  who  were  constantly  in  dani^er; 
and  frequently  driven  by  real  ov  false  alarms  to  seek 
refuge  in  their  block-houses.  It  was  manifestly  the 
policy  of  the  enemy  to  niultiitly  these  alarms  by  their 
snnUl  parties,  scattered  along  the  borders  of  the  settle- 
ments, and  to  niagnity  the  fears  of  the  inhabitants. 
In  this  they  were  but  too  well  favored  by  the  presence 
of  the  disatt'ected  families  in  the  country,  who  were 
willing  to  give  currency  to  every  rumor  tending  to 
their  interests,  whether  founded  upon  facts  or  tiction. 

The  larger  portion  of  the  Oneidas,  and  a  small  part 
of  the  Tuscaroras,  had  hitherto  remained  friendly  to 
the  American  cause  ;  but  the  influence  of  Hritish  agents, 
and  of  the  other  tribes  of  the  Six  Xations  was  brought 
strongly  to  bear  upon  them,  to  induce  their  removal 
to  Niagara.  Seonondo,  a  leading  chief,  was  itni>risoned 
at  Niagara,  and  every  argument  by  way  of  threat  and 
promise,  was  used  to  effect  this  end.  Under  this 
pressure,  and  to  secure  that  quiet  which  was  denied 
them  in  their  own  settlonieiits,  some  evinced  a  wflling- 
ness  to  yield;   and  to  prevent  snch   a  misfortune  about 


!| 


il 


82 


INTHOOircTroV. 


, '  ;f 


f'om-  hiiiidrcd  of  fhcHo  |k(o|.Io  woro  i-cmovod  to  tlio 
iifiirhl,,,,!,,.,,,!  of  MmwvUuly  luxl  tlioro  Hupportc.I,  id 
till'  jMlltlic  ('(rnt.' 

Tho  niovoiiu'iits  oCdie  oiictnyat  New  York,  iind  tlio 
rt'turn  of  Sir  Frcnry  Clintoi.  Ii(,„i  l.in  Hiuvi-sHnil  i-iitor- 
priHc  a/raiiiHt   ('InirlcHt..!,,  w^ro   u.lditioi.al  hoiuvoh   „f 
Hiixiety,   and   led   („   .vpcatcd    and  pri'HHin^r  ndln   for 
militia  to  aMniHt  in  <rnardiM;u:  tlio  paHHt-H  of  tlu*  Iliol,. 
'"'kIh.     'V\h>  Htate  lo^'iHlatnrc,  tlicivforc.  on  tlio  24tli  of 
diino   provided  for  rainin/;  u  foroe  hy  drafls  from  tlio 
'Militia    for  a  j.oriod    of  tlireo   moutliH,   and    (Jonoral 
liol.ort  Van   Ronssolaor,  wlio  had   rooontly  boon  pro- 
iMotod  from  a  oolonol,  t(.  tlio  conimund  of  tiio  wooond 
l>npulo   of   Albany   county    militia,   was   ordoro.l    to 
procood  to  Stono  Aral.iu  and  tako  oomniand  at  IA)rt 
Paris,* 

•Iii.Iiily,  17S0,  Jcllis  Pond.i  wiiH  II  conlniptnr  for  'iiippljin^.  aOO 
na.ons  .laily  to  ,l...stiiut(.  Onci.lHs  a.ul  T..H,.ar.)raa  ,it  Hih.'.n.rtacly 
1 1«<'  'iiul.is  ..(ih.ir ,  amp  tircH  may  atill  be  traeeil  <m  the  brow  ..Ctho 
liills  southeast  oflhc  city. 

We  find  Molhhi;!  ainoiijf  the  Clinton  Ih/^r/i  tojiwtlfy  tlio  statement 
of  CohMiel  Stone  (l.ifi  of  Urant,  i,  W),  reh.tive  to  the  (lostniction  of 
IheOnei.la  seltlenients  by  the  .iieiny  .Iiirhis  the  winter  of  t77!»-HO 
nnd  aiv  le,!  t<.  believe,  tliat  the  removal  .)f  tliese  people  to  ,i  plaee  ot' 
siitety  m  tlie  interior,  was  a  measure  ol  poijev,  ratlier  than  of  actual 
neeesNily  from  the  presence  of  an  enemy.  Their  country  mi-ht  still 
hejustly  spoken  of  as  al)an(lone(l  an.l  laid  wa.ste,  tlu'ir  indusn-y  and 
prosperity  as  destroyed,  and  tlieir  condition  as  m  every  wav  iiiiured 
1  .id  impoverished  by  tlie  war. 

»This  Avas  a  Mocj^-lumse  surrounded  by  a  stockad(>  situated  on  a 
swell  of  firoimd  about  half  a  mile  east  by  north  from  the  churches  at 
Stone  .\rabia  in  the  town  of  I'alaline.  The  surface  descends  from 
this  point,  northward  towards  th..  valley  of  (}aro-a  <Teek  and  south- 
ward t..  the  Mohawk,  and  it  is  th.'  most  eU'vated  place  within  several 


^   I 


Hi 


iNTKornrcTrov, 


83 


Karly  in  July  Inr^o  IkxTh'm  of  tlio  cnoniy  woto  reported 
m  seen  near  the  old  Oiicidu  oaHtle ;  but  nothing  dctinito 
was  diHcovorod,  nor  in  tlioir  proHciico  there  at  that  tinio 
rertaiidy  known. 

liiirkiiii;  partioH  of  the  enoniy  wore  oohtimially 
l>i(»\\Tni<;  uloii^'  the  froiitiorn,  and  an  occnmonal  tire,  or 
niiinlcr,  and  the  Huddeu  <liHa|i|K'aninco  of  individuals 
m  prisoners,  kept  the  troops  on  the  alert,  and  the 
country  in  frcfpient  alarm.  'I'lio  cultivation  of  the 
tieldn,  except  in  the  vicinity  of  hlock-houscs,  was 
necessarily  abandoned;  and  tlio  transportation  of 
supplies  for  the  forts  was  never  attempted  witliont  a 
military  ^uard. 

On  the  2f!tli  of  July,  a  lar^e  party  of  tho  enemy, 
chiefly  Indians,  and  said  to  be  ei^dit  hundred  strong, 
under  Brant,  with  several  British  othcers,  appeared 
l)efore  Fort  Schuyler,  killed  several  horses  and  cattle 
in  the  adjacent  tields,  and  bcpm  a  tire  of  musketry 
upon  the  fort,  which  they  continued  until  nine  o'clock 
in  the  evening.  The  news  of  this  event,  reaching 
General  Van  Rensselaer  at  Stono  Arabia,  he  imme- 
diately set  out  for  the  relief  of  the  place,  and  for  tho 
pui-posc    of  guarding    several    bateaux    laden    witli 

mik'H  of  tho  lociility.  The  hlock-htiusc  after  Ix'hig  removed  and  used 
niiiiiy  yciirsns  a  hiirii  ha.s  dimipiieared,  'oaviiig  in  the  open  fields  only 
a  single  aj;ed  fruit  tree  to  mark  the  vicinity  of  this  place  of  refujre  for 
the  siuroundini;  scltlementH.  Fort  Paris  was  named  in  hon'or  of 
Isaac  Paris,  an  English  emigrant,  who  settled  in  Tryon  county  a  few 
years  hefore  the  revolution,  was  naturalized  March  aoth,  17(i2,  and 
fell  in  the  baUle  of  Oriskany  in  August  1777,  while  serving  as  colonel 
of  militia. 


m 


34 


INTRODUCTION. 


provisions  then  on  their  way  up  the  river.  To  assist  in 
this  service,  nearly  every  able  l)odied  man  in  the 
vicinity  of  Caiiajoharie  was  called  out.  It  was 
currently  reported  that  the  fort  was  about  to  be 
invested  by  a  force  of  British  regulars,  and  it  was  felt 
that  every  exertion  must  be  made  for  the  safety  of 
that  important  post.'  Threats  were  also  circulated  by 
the  enemy,  that  the  convoys  of  the  boats  would  be 
attacked,  and  the  cargoes  destroyed. 

Meanwlule  the  savnges,  ha\'ing  etfected  this  diversion 
from  their  real  point  of  attack,  made  a  cij-cuit  to  the 
south  (at  the  same  time  observing  without  alarming 
the  troops  on  their  way  up  the  river),  and  came  down 
on  the  Canajoharie  settlements  on  the  2d  of  August, 
stealthily,  but  with  destructive  energy. 

This  place  had  been  the  home  of  Brant  before  the 
war,  and  doubtless  many  of  his  followers  were  like 
him,  refugees  from  the  places  thoy  now  saw  occupied 
and  enjoyed  by  others.  Finding  it  impossible  to 
recover  their  lost  possessions,  they  resolved  to  make 
their  destruction  thorough. 

Scattering  his  forces  so  as  to  set  fire  to  many  houses 
at  the  same  instant,  the  chieftain  Brant,  began  a  work 
of  desolation  w.th  nothing  to  stay  his  progress,  and  in 
a  brief  space  of  time,  accomplished  his  mission  and 
retired.  A  report,  made  two  weeks  after  and  upon 
careful  inquiiy,  returned  seventeen  as  killed,  two  as 


Clinton  Papers,  No.  3,111. 


Till'    '■■UKAI     r\i'|\l\  "l-  nil;  .Si\   -NATKINS. 


■j 


rf  hi 


■ 

H 

^^H 

F 

^^^H 

'    ! 

i^^^B 

-,-* 

■ 

1|- 

I  tl 


INTRODUCTION. 


35 


ficalpccl  and  then  living,  forty-one  prisonoi-s  led  into 
captivity,  fifty-two  lioiises  and  forty-two  Ijarns,  a  church 
and  a  grist  mill  hurned,  three  hundred  cattle  and 
horses  killed  or  driven  off,  and  all  the  wagons  and 
fiiruiing  implements  burned.  Every  thing  was  laid 
waste  except  the  growing  crops,  and  there  remained 
no  means  of  harvesting  these.  The  ruin  extended 
several  miles  along  the  south  bank  of  the  Mohawk. 

A  portion  of  the  families  found  refuge  in  Fort  Plank, 
which  was  not  attacked.  Most  of  the  prisoners  taken 
were  women  and  children,  a  few  of  whom  were  sent 
back,  but  the  greater  portion  endured  a  long  and 
painful  captivity,^ 

The  smoke  of  the  burning  settlement  was  seen  at  a 
distance  of  four  miles,  by  an  armed  party  in  charge 
of  some  laden  bateaux,  and  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Johnstown ;  but  before  they  could  hasten  to  the  relief 
of  the  inhabitants  the  destruction  was  complete,  and 
its  authors  on  their  way  to  the  Susquehannah.  A 
l)ranch  of  this  expedition  at  about  the  same  time  fell 
upon  a  settlement  on  the  Xorman's  Kill,  in  Albany 


I A  list  of  these  prisouers  with  their  ages  and  remarks,  is  found  in 
the  Clinton  Papem,  No.  8,127.  Tliere  were  11  hoys,  2  old  men,  20 
girls  under  20,  and  10  women. 

Cornplanter,  the  celebrated  half-breed  Seneca  chief  was  in  this  ex- 
pedition. Among  the  prisoners  taken  was  his  own  father,  a  white 
man  named  O'Bail.  Having  marched  him  ten  or  twelve  miles,  he 
made  himself  known,  and  allowed  him  the  alternative  of  jdining  his 
fortunes  with  his  red  son,  or  of  returning  home.  He  preferred  the 
latter,  and  was  escorted  back  in  safet}'  to  the  settlements.— Z«/«  of 
Mary  Jemison,    Stomas  Life  of  Brant,  ii,  127. 


I 


86 


LNTKODrCTJON. 


I  « 


coiuity,  and  buj-ned  twenty  houses.  General  Van 
Rensselaer  havino-  i,,  the  meantime  delivered  his 
charge  at  Fort  Schuyler,  returne.l.  Ti.liugs  of  the 
disaster  were  quic-kly  convejod  to  Albany,  and  General 
Ten  Broeck  ordered  a  large  detachment  of  militia  from 
Albany  and  Schenectady,  to  hasten  up  the  valley  for 
the  relief  of  the  distressed  inhabitants. 

On  the  5th  of  August,  five  hundred  troops  of  the 
Massachusetts  levies  were  ordered  to  march  for  the 
protection  of  the  Mohawk  settlements,!  and  measures 
were  speedily  taken  for  supplying  the  immediate 
wants  of  such  families  as  had  escaped  captivity  with 
the  loss  of  every  thing.  The  troops  as  they  arrived, 
were  stationed  so  as  to  j^rotect  them  in  hai-vesting  their 
grain,  for  present  subsistence. 

A  period  of  comparative  tranquility  now  followed, 
and  the  harvest,  which  was  unusually  bountiful  this 
season,  was  secured  without  further  molestation  from  the 
enemy.     On  the  tirst  of  September,  Colonel  Malcom's 
corps  was  sent  by  General  Washington  for  the  defense 
of  the  frontiers,  and  the  relief  of  the  German  Flatts 
and  Fort  Schuyler,  and  a  part  of  the  militia  who  had 
been  called  out  for  a  short  period  returned  home. 
Vague   rumors  of   danger    were,  however,    at  times 
circulated    through  the  countiy,    and  small    parties 
appeared  frequently  upon  the  frontiers,    committing 

J'^t\'''"^^^"''  "'"  *I««««chusetts  troops  that  were  actually  sent  up 
the  Mohawk  Valley,  was  considerably  less  than  this  number  We 
have  not  met  with  any  specific  statements  of  their  force. 


INTRODUCTION. 


37 


hostilities  as   circumstances  favored,   Init  not  always 
with  impunity. 

One  of  the  most  heroic  ir.cidents  which  the  annals 
of  this  period  record,  occurred  on  the  last  day  of 
August,  ahout  four  miles  northeast  of  Fort  Dayton. 
A  party  consisting  of  forty-eight  Indians  and  eighteen 
whites  suddenly  fell  upon  a  farmer  named  John 
Christian  Shell,  who  was  laboring  with  his  six  sons 
in  a  field.  The  latter  succeeded  in  reaching  their 
house,  excepting  two  little  hoys  eight  yeare  old,  wlio 
were  captured.  The  house  was  built  for  defense,  and  its 
occupants  iiicluding  the  lieroic  wife  made  a  most  resolute 
resistance,  in  which  without  further  loss  to  themselves, 
they  killed  eleven  and  wounded  six  or  seven  of  the 
enemy.  Their  leader,  one  Donald  McDonald,  being 
wounded  at  the  door,  was  dragged  in  by  the  fiimily, 
and  their  house  thus  secured  against  being  burned  by 
the  assailants.  The  unequal  contest  continued  several 
hours,  when  the  enemy  retired,  and  the  family  having 
jirovided  food  for  their  prisoner  withdrew  to  Fort 
Dayton,  and  the  next  day  the  wounded  who  had  been 
left  on  the  premises  were  brought  in.'  A  party  was 
sent  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy,  but  returned  without 
success.  The  two  little  sons  of  Mr.  Shell  returned 
after  a  long  captivity.  lie  was  himself  killed  the  next 
year  by  an  enemy  lurking  in  ambush. 


'Full  details  of  this  event  are  given  in  Benton's  Herkimer  Cmtnty, 
p.  03,  but  under  an  erroneous  date.  A  version  in  :  'lyme  is  found  in 
CampMVs  Tryon  County  (1831),  p.  71. 


U     I 


38 


INTHODIJCTION. 


The  difHcultios  atteiuling  the  maintenance  of  the 
^n^y,  were  at  tliis  period  greatly  onlmneed  by  the 
(lopreeiation  of  the  paper  eurreuc-y  that  Imd  been  isHued 
by  ('ongress,  and  which  had  fallen  nince  the  autumn  of 
1777,  from  par  to  two  and  u  half  per  cont  This 
rendered   it  necessary  for  (  ..  to  levy  taxes  in 

kiud,  for  whatever  articles  ,         . .  g,eatest  necessity 
for  the   troops.      The  governor  of  x\ew  ^ork  was 
authorized    to  issue  press  warrants  for  taking  cattle, 
flour,  grain,  teams  and  labor,  as  the  emergencies  of 
the  service   required;   and   this  harsh  expedient  was 
employed    many    times    during   the    summer,   when 
pronipt  action  could  not  otherwise  be  secured.     The 
destitution  of  the  army,  which  at  this  time  formed  a 
most  serious  obstacle  in  its  oi.eration«,  was  not  so  much 
diie  to  absolute  want  of  supplies  in  the  country,  as  to 
difficulties  attending  their  collection  and  transportation. 
Ihe  maintenance  af  a  garrison  at  Fort  Schuyler  was 
regarded  as  essential  to  the  protection  of  the  Mohawk 
frontier;    and  the   only  practicable   route  for  trans 
portation    being  the  Mohawk  river,   it  was    highly 
important  that  the  mnter  supplies  should  be  forwarded 
before  the  river  was  closed  by  ice.   The  boats  u.ed  in  this 
service  always  required  a  convoy,  and  the  navigation 
interrupted   by  frequent  rapids  and  a  portage,  was 
attended  mtli  great  labor. 

The  conduct  of  some  of  the  public  leaders  in  Cum- 
berland county  was  at  this  period  in  the  highest 
degree  embarrassing  to  Governor  Clinton,  and  led  to 


INTRODUCTION. 


3!? 


fterioiis  suspicions  of  trcacliery  in  the  mind  of  General 
Washington.  The  party  who  were  endeavoring  to 
establish  an  independent  state  government,  in  defiance 
of  the  authority  of  New  York,  appeared  to  bo  in 
communication  with  the  enemy,  for  purposes  which 
could  not  be  ascortained,  and  under  circumstances 
which  led  to  the  worst  conjectures  as  to  their  motives 
and  designs.  The  conduct  of  Colonel  Ethan  Allen 
was  especially  censured,  and  so  far  did  these  suspicions 
of  treachery  gain  credit,  that  the  commander-in-chief 
issued  orders  to  Genci'al  Schuyler,  then  at  Saratoga, 
to  arrest  a  certain  person,  in  the  event  of  certain 
contingencies,  which  however  did  not  occur. 

These  determined  advocates  of  a  new  state  organi- 
zation declared  themselves  ready  for  any  alliance  that 
would  favor  their  end,  and  under  the  pretext  of 
negotiating  for  the  release  of  prisoners,  engaged  in  a 
correspondence  which  has  scarcely  been  justified  by 
any  apology  of  their  friends.  Occurring  at  this 
juncture,  wlien  harmony  and  confidence  were  of  the 
greatest  importance,  it  proved  a  soui-ce  of  anxiety  and 
embarrassment  injurious  to  the  public  welfare,  and 
encouraging  to  the  enemy.  Yet  in  anticipation  of 
coming  favors,  the  enemy  spai'ed  the  inhabitants  of 
the  "  Grants  "  many  of  the  e\'ils  they  might  have  easily 
inflicted,  and  which  were  felt  with  increased  severity 
by  the  unhappy  citizens  of  northern  New  York. 

During  the  early  part  of  the  autumn  of  1780,  the 
return  of  a  scout,  oi-  of  a  prisoner  escaped  from  the 


I 


40 


INTKODUCTION. 


onomy,   bro„,n.],t  intelligence  from   time  to  time    of 
Home  hoHtile  design  in  preparation  in  Canada;  'but 
those  rumor,  were  vague  and  disconnected,  and  nothing 
t.-an«p.re,l  to  indicate  any  particular  point  of  danger. 
These  rumors  might  he  merely  foun.le.l  upon  some 
device  intended  to  mislead  the  military  authorities, 
and  d,stress  the  inhabitants  with  constant  alarms,  and 
notlnng  positive  could  be  ascertained  relative  to  the 
intentions  of  the  enemy.     Hostile  parties  appearing  at 
widely  distant  points,  and  occasionally  a  murder,  ^he 
dmppearance  of  a  pei-son  as  a  prisoner,  oi-  the  burning 
of  a  house,  kept  the  troops  at  the  various  stations  on 
the  ale,t,  and  rendered  the  designs  of  the  enemy  more 
(litticult  to  determine. 

One  of  these  parties  ap,!>eared  at  Shawangunk  on 
tlio  18th  of  September,  attacked  the  house  of  Colonel 
Johannis  Jansen,  killed  and  scalped  t.vo  young 
women  and  an  old  man,  and  carried  away  three  negi-o 
slaves.  Two  regiments  of  militia  were  ordered  in 
I'ursmt,  but  found  no  trace  of  the  assailants,  who  were 
believed  to  be  tories,  and  former  residents  of  the 
district. 

The  earlier  invasions  of  this  season,  and  public 
business  depending  in  congress  upon  the  action  of 
I^ew  York,  made  it  necessary  to  call  an  extra  session 
of  the  legislature,  which  met  in  Poughkeepsie  on  the 
7th  ot  September.  In  his  opening  message,  the 
governor  stated  the  insufficiency  of  the  force  on  the 
frontiers,  for  their  adequate  defense,   the  embarrass- 


INTRODUf'TloN. 


41 


ments  atten.ling  cnlistmontH  iti  the  Contiuentiil  service, 
the  destitution  of  the  army,  and  the  necessity  of 
granting  more  power  to  congress.  The  Articles  of 
Confederation  then  under  consideration  had  not  yet 
heen  ratified,  and  the  genend  congress  had  hitherto 
been  able  only  to  recommend  to  the  several  states, 
such  measures  as  it  should  itself  have  had  the  power 
to  enforce.  This  session  of  the  legislature  ended  on 
the  10th  of  October,  and  was  chiefly  occupied  in 
considering  the  military  necessities  of  the  day.  It 
levied  taxes  upon  the  several  counties  payable  in  cattle 
and  grain,  extended  former  laws  authorizing  the 
impress  of  articles  needed  in  the  service,  provided  for 
completing  the  state  quota  in  the  Continental  army, 
and  gave  to  the  governor  all  needed  powers  for  the 
full  control  of  the  militia. 

Under  this  law,  passed  September  29th,  the  governor 
could  order  into  the  service  from  time  to  time  as  he 
might  deem  necessary,  such  numbers  of  the  militia  as 
might  be  required  for  the  defense  of  the  frontiers.  The 
men  were  to  be  drawn  by  classes,  were  to  be  held  for 
forty-five  days  from  the  time  of  their  assembling,  and 
in  matters  relating  to  discipline,  pay  and  rations,  were 
placed  on  a  par  with  the  Continental  troops.  The  act 
embraced  the  necessary  regulations  for  entbrcing  the 
call  by  fines  and  forfeitui-es,  for  the  conunutation  of 
quakers,  and  other  details  necessary  for  its  successful 
operation. 

In  v\cw  of  the  exposed  condition  of  northern  New 
(i 


■■   .1 


42 


INTKOUUCTION. 


York,  niul  the  iniportanoc  of  protecting  the  suppUcH  of 
tlmt  re.   on,  upon  wliicl,  the  troops  mainly  relied  for 
Hub8i8tenee  during  the  eoniing  wint<.r;  but  before  any 
further  hostilitien  M'erc  known  to  be  in  actual  prepara- 
tion, Brigadier  General  Ja.ne«  Clinton  was  asnigned 
by  General  Washington  to  the  coninian.l  at  Albany 
and  he  was  authorised  by  his  brother  the  governor  to 
call  upon  Generals  Ten  Broeck  and  Van  Rennselaer 
for  such  assistance  as  their  brigades  might  be  able  to 
render  in  ease  of  need. 

On  the  1st  of  October,  General  Schuyler  informed 
the  governor  by  letter,  of  certnin  indications  of  an 
approaching  invasion  by  way  of  Lake  Champlain,  and 
on  the  Gth,  a  number  of  citizens  of  Tryon  county 
united    in    a   petition    for'  iminediate    assistance,    to 
prepare  against  an  attack  from  the  westward.     From 
intelligence  which  had  been  received,  it  appeared  quite 
certain,  that  a  large  force  of  the  enemy  under  Sir  John 
Johnson,  Butler  and  Brant,  had  six  days  before  left 
Niagara,  and  were  then  on  their  way  to  Oneida.     On 
the  10th,  an  Indian  deserter  arrived  at  Fort  Schuyler 
with  news  that  the  enemy  were  approaching  in  con- 
siderable  force,  with   the  view  of  attacking  Stone 
Arabia,  and  ultimately  Fort  Schuyler.     He  stated  that 
they  were  furnished  ^vith   mortars  and  cannon,  with 
shells  in  large  quantities;  and  to  confirm  his  statement 
he  exhibited  a  five  inch  shell  which  he  had  brought 
with  him  in  his  blanket. 
Major  Hughes  in  command  at  that  post,  immediately 


INTRODUCTION. 


4n 


coiniiuiiiu'uto<I  tluH  intelligenoo;  tlio  fleveral  gaiTirtoiis 
tluouglumt  the  valley  wore  placed  on  their  guard 
agaiiiHt  u  HurpriHO,  and  detiichmentH  of  militia  were 
called  out. 

The  force  reported  as  approacliing  by  way  of  Lake 
Charnplain,  coiiHisted  of  about  u  thousand  men,  regulars, 
loyalintrt  and  Indiana  under  Major  ChriHtopher  Carleton, 
of  the  29tli  regiment.  He  came  up  the  lake  from  St. 
John's  with  a  fleet  of  eight  vessels  and  twenty-six 
boats,  and  having  landed  in  South  May,  suddenly 
appeared  before  Fort  Ann  on  the  10th  of  October,  and 
demanded  it*»  surrender.  The  garrison  consisted  of 
sevejity-five  men,  officers  included,  under  the  command 
of  Adiol  Sherwood,  captain  of  one  of  the  regiments 
of  levies  raised  the  summer  previous  to  reinforce  the 
Continental  army.  He  had  but  a  scanty  8upi)ly  of 
amniunition,  and  being  unwilling  to  exasperate  the 
enemy  by  using  what  little  he  hud,  after  a  short 
consultation  among  the  otHcers,  he  surrendered  himself 
and  men  prisoners  of  war,  reserving  only  the  liberty 
of  sending  the  women  and  diildren  to  their  respective 
homes.'  This  fort,  which  was  only  a  block-house  rudely 
built  of  logs  and  enclosed  by  a  stockade,  was  burned, 
and  marauding  parties  were  sent  out,  who  burnt  and 
destroyed  portions  of  the  settlements  of  Kingsbury, 

'  Ciiptiiin  Shei-wood  had  previously  been  a  lieutenant  in  the  Ist 
Continental  battalion,  uut  resigned  May  10, 1780,  and  on  the  18th  of 
July  was  appointed  to  the  command  above  stated.  In  a  letter  written 
by  him  while  a  prisoner,  he  says  that  the  force  appearing  before  him 
at  Fort  Ann,  consisted  of  778  men,  chiefly  British  regulars. 


I 


44 


fNTHoDirrnox, 


' 


w 


(i.ic.e.,Hl,„ry  u,„l  Fort  K.lwanl.'  Tlu,  Hnu.ko  of  tl.cHo 
'•""•"in^'H  an.l  tlu-  roporfs  <,f  ,vfnj-ooH  (Irivn  i..  hy  the 
oi>einy,ffave  Intonimti.,!,  at  K,.,t  K.hvard  <.ftho  rava^ros 
tiiat  wore  bdn^  connnittixl  above;  hut  OoI...k.|  Livin^r. 
8ton  WHH  not  ill  force  to  march,  and  „o  relief  wan  to  ho 
luid  nearer  than  from  tlic  Albany  militia.* 

Miyor  Carleton   appeared  before   Fort   George  on 
tlie    11th,    but  not  vvitlu.iit  some   Iohh  by  the  firo  of 
the  garrison.     This  post  was  eomman.led  by  Captain 
.lolui  Chipman,  of  the  second  Continental  battalion, 
and  his  troops  about  forty  in  number,   were  chiefly 
composed  of   drafts   from  the  militia  classes,    from 
the    neighboring    towns    of   Charlotte    county.      Ho 
was    not    in   condition   for  vigorous  resistanct-,   or  u 
protracted  siege;  and  no  i^elief  being  in  prospect  ho 
surrendered  upon  terms  similar  to  those  that  had  been 
granted  at  Fort  Ann.     The  prisoners  were  transferred 
to  the  vessels  on  Lake  Champhiin,  and  the  fort  was 
destroyed.      Kr<sign   Barrett  was  permitted  to  return 
vvith   his    tiimily  and   the    regimental    books,    upon 
giving  his  parole,  and  two  wagons  were  allowed  for 
the  women  and  children  and  their  etiects.^ 

■  Petition  for  exemption  from  taxes  in  Clmrlottc  county,  Jan.  83  1781 
Lcf/tslahve  P,q)cr»,  No.  2,423.  J . "  »"■  «o,  i  <  oi , 

"Fort  Edward  was  temporarily  abandoned  upon  this  occasion   h„t 
oSro^iT'"""'  ""' '"  •'""^^  "'  "-^  madoL^alSrrSj;;' 

_  » A  deserter  named  Van  Deusen  reported  a  horrid  case  of  tortnrr. 
nfl.cted  upon  a  soldierin  revn,.,  tL  the  death  of  anlnln    .  u 
L  e  St"    TT.r    M  "  "  'T"''T  — P-^'ence  with  c"  ion 


INTKODUCTION. 


45 


A  ItruiK'li  of  thin  uxpt'dition,  foncistiii^  of  uhoiit 
four  liundred  roj^uIarH,  torioH  aiul  IiullmiH,  under  the 
cuuiMiaiid  of  Major  .lolin  Miinro,  a  tory,  forint'Hy  a 
merchant  at  St'lii'ni'ctn<ly,  having  U'ft  thfir  l)oatH  at 
the  liead  of  llulwagj^a  hay  near  Crown  F'oint,  jiro- 
cec'dcd  hy  an  Interior  route  weHt  of  Lake  Georj^e,  witli 
the  original  intention,  an  ih  believed,  of  HurpriHing 
Hehenect^idy.  Whatever  may  have  been  tlio  intended 
l»oint  of  attack,  the  inforinutiou  oi)tained  by  their 
scouts,  or  other  reaHons,  decided  them  to  [)roceed  no 
further  tlain  the  UallHton  Hettlement. 

There  wan  at  thin  time  a  "  fort "  of  oak  logs 
Hurrounded  by  a  wtockade  and  provided  with  loop 
holcri  for  murtketry.  It  wtood  at  the  HouthwcHt  corner 
of  the  Hipuire,  at  Academy  hill,  and  hud  been 
garrisoned  five  days  before  hy  a  small  party  of 
Schenectady  militia.  Tlie  enemy  decided  not  to 
spend  time  in  attacking  this,  but  found  a  convenient 
oi)portunity  for  surprising  several  families  in  their 
houses,  and  of  executing  their  destructive  mission 
upon  tlie  devoted  settlement. 

The  first  attack  was  made  under  the  guidance  of 
one  McDonald,  a  tory  refugee  from  this  neigliborhood, 
upon  the  house  of  Mr.  James  Gordon,^  a  worthy  and 


'  General  Gordon  was  at  this  period  ii  member  of  nssenibly,  in 
which  office  he  served  nine  yeiirs.  From  1791  to  1705  he  was  in 
congress,  and  from  1797  to  1804,  he  was  state  senator.  He  died  at 
Bullston,  January  17,  1810.  A  brief  notice  of  this  revolutionary 
patriot,  is  found  in  the  Albany  Uiizette,  January  19,  1810.  We  are 
indebted  to  the  Hon.  George  G.  Bcott  of  Ballston,  for  most  of  the 
above  details. 


4B 

INTKODUCTION. 

influential  citizen,  whose  strong  udherence  to  the  Con- 
tmental  cause,  had  made  him  particularly  obnoxious 
o  the  tones.     As  his  clock  was  striking  the  midnight 
hour  on  the  night  of  October  16th,  he  was  awakened 
by  the  crash  of  windows  broken  in  with  bayonets,  and 
in  u  brief  space  of  time  he  and  several  persons  in  his 
employment  were  secured,  and  his  house  pillaged  by 
the    Indians.      Having    killed    one    man,    wounded 
another  as    they  supposed    mortally,    and    captured 
twenty-two  prisoners  in  the  settlement,  they  set  out 
to  return;  but  Kngered  for  some  time  in  the  north- 
west corner  of  the  town.     They  then  retired  along  an 
Indian  trail  which  led  up  the  Hudson,  and  along  the 
route  by  which  they  came.    Feanng  an  attack.  Major 
Munro  issued  an  order  for  the  prisoners  to  be  instantly 
killed  in  case  there  was  the  least  prospect  of  their 
being  rescued.      For    this  atrocious   order,    he  was 
disgracefully  dismissed    from    the    serv-ice   .pon  his 
return  to  Canada.     From  their  first  night's  encamp- 
ment, three  of  the  wounded  prisoners  were  allowed  to 
return,  and  they  narrowly  escaped  an  ambuscade  that 
had  been  laid  for  the  enemy.     The  party  were  eight 
days  in  returning  to  their  boats,  from  whence  they 
eontinued  to  Montreal.     Mr.  Gordon  was  held  nearly 
two  years  as  a  prisoner  in  Canada. 

A  party  consisting  of  about  two  hundred,  chiefly 
Indians,  under  Major  Tlaughton,  of  the  53d,  had  set 
out  about  the  same  time  from  Canada,  to  fall  upon 
the  upper  settlements  of  the  Connecticut  valley.     They 


INTRODUCTION. 


47 


succeeded  in  burning  Hcveral  houses,  and  in  carrying 
thirty-two  inhabitants  into  captivity. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  enemy  who  had  been  reported 
as  in  force  at  Oneida  Lake,  crossed  over  to  the  valley 
,of  the  Susquehanna.  They  here  pro^nbly  received 
reinforcements  from  Niagara  by  way  of  the  Tioga 
route,  and  proceeded  up  the  eastern  branch  in  the 
direction  of  Schoharie,  with  the  view  of  surprising  the 
posts,  and  destroying  the  settlements  of  that  valley. 
This  force,  under  the  command  of  Sir  John  Johnson, 
was  composed  of  regulars,  tones  and  Indians,  and  was 
reported  to  bo  from  eight  hundred  to  a  thousand 
strong.^  Sir  John  was  accompanied  by  Colonel  Butler 
and  Captain  Brant,  and  many  of  his  men  were 
intimately  acquainted  with  the  topography  of  the 
country  through  which  they  were  to  pass,  having 
formerly  resided  in  the  valley. 

"We  have  already  noticed  that  the  Schoharie  settle- 
ments were  at  this  period  protected  by  three  forts. 
The  upper  fort,  completed  in  1778,*  was  a  one  story 
dwelling  owned  by  John  Peeck,  enclosed  by  a 
stockade,  and  a  breast  work.  It  stood  near  the 
upper  part  of  the  neighborhood  known  as  Vrooman's 
land,  about  five  miles  west  of  south  from  Middleburgh. 

'The  enemy's  force  under  Sir  John  Johnson  was  reported  by 
Governor  Clinton,  in  writing  to  General  Washington  about  a  fort- 
night after,  to  consist  of  750  picked  troops  from  the  20th  and  34th 
British  regiments,  Hessian  yagers,  Sir  John's  corps,  Butler's  rangers, 
and  Brant's  corjis  of  Indians  an^l  torics. 

'■'The  land  on  which  this  fort  stooa,  is  now  owned, it  is  believed,  by 
a  descendant  of  the  proprietor  in  1780, 


48 


INTRODUCTION. 


i   I 


The  middle     fort  was  at    tlio  present  village    of 
Middleburgh,  from  which  the  latter  derived  its  name. 
It  stood  about  half  a  mile  east  of  north  from  the 
bridge,  and  was  bnilt  around  a  two  story  stone  house 
then   owned  by  John    Becker.     It  was  a  stockade 
enclosmg  about  half  an  acre  within  the  pickets,  with 
block-houses  mounted  Axdth  small  cannon  upon  two 
of  its  angles.    From  its  central  position  it  was  usually 
the  headquarters  of  the  commandant  of  the  Schoharie 
posts,  and  was  at  this  time  garrisoned  by  about  two 
hundred  state  troops,  under  the  command  of  Major 
Melancton  L.  Woolsey.>     This  fort  was  built  in  1777 
and   like  the   former,   every  vestige   has   long  since' 
disappeared,  excepting  a  small  jtart  of  the   original 
buildiuff. 

^Theknver  fort,  finished  in  1778,  had  also  a  stockade 

clef™'  TZ  7"^"P^'"'"*''"  '"■■'J-  '"  «  '•^«i">ent  of  levies  for  tl.e 
oTe  a  br^  '"'  "?  ""^  l«">f '^"'3',  1780,  and  subsequently 

r  1  e  b      nf "  'TT  "'  """"'■    '"'-  ""  ""fortunate  turn  in 

a    tt  If  '"'"''■'"'  ""^^ '"  ^'«^'  ^V"«  a  petitioner  for  reli.f  by 

hollthloS   T  '=°"" '' "''°"  "'  organization,  and  be  continued  to 

'Old  this  office  twenty  years.    Afler  a  long  residence  in  PJnttsburrf. 

he  mnoved  to  Trenton  in  Oneida  county,  where  he  died  June  S,' 

1«1!),  m  lus  sixty-third  year.    He  was  the  father  of  the  late  Comnu, 

So;  w'"f ""  ^-  '^'"'"^' '' '"''  "->••    '^"^  -»«''--  .ith  wldd. 

Major  ^Voolsey  contniucd  to  be  held  by  Governor  Clinton,  and  the 

«n.ents  be  received   at  his  hand,    sutficiently  disc;.:!;'  t 

Md.lonal  stones  that  have  been  published  concerning  bis  alleged 

q-.nent  upon  the  occasion  of  Sir  John  Johnson's 'attack     po^ 

reported,  or  if  told  were  not  believed,  at  that  period 

Major  Woolsey's  weekly  return  of  the  Schoharie  forts,    dated 

S"  f'  M™?'  "r.  "  ''''''  "''''^  "-'-  t'aptainsUnsi  g 
Mullci ,  J  oord,  Poole  and  IJogart. 


INTHODUCTION. 


49 


with  two  blook-houses  mounted  with  small  cannon. 
It  enclosed  a  stone  church,  still  standing  a  mile  north 
of  Schoharie  Coui-t-house,'  and  also  enclosed  an  area 
of  about  half  an  aicre.  Along  the  west  side  of  the 
enclosure  were  small  huts  built  of  rough  boards,  for 
the  accommodation  of  families,  and  for  the  shelter  of 
their  most  valuable  cftccts.  It  was  about  six  miles 
down  the  valley,  north  of  the  middle  foi-t,^  and  was  at 
this  period  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Volkert 
Veeder.'' 

The  approach  of  the  enemy  had  been  conducted 
with  as  much  secrecy  as  possible,  but  two  Oneidas 
having  deserted,  brought  in  the  intelligence  of  their 
movements.  It  had  been  expected  that  the  first  attack 
would  be  made  upon  the  upper  fort. 

Early  in  the  morning  on  the  17th  of  October,  the 
enemy  were  discovered  passing  at  some  distance  from 
the  upper  fort.  A  signal  gun  was  fired  to  notify  the 
posts  below  of  this  movement,  and  their  garrisons 
hastened  to  make  such  preparations  for  defense  as 
their  situation  allowed.  No  attempt  was  made  by  the 
enemy  to  molest  the  upper  fort;  but  finding  themselves 
discovered,  and  secrecy  no  longer  possible,  they  began 
at  once  their  work  of  devastation,  by  setting  fire  to 


•  Tliis  building  is  now  owned  by  the  state,  and  is  used  as  an  annory. 

^Simms'sIlMory  of  Srhohnrk  County,  p.  309-271. 

'This  officer  was  comuiissioned  as  lieutenant  colonel,  April  4, 
1778,  and  resigned  !March  13,  1781.  He  was  six  yeai's  a  nirniber  of 
asseiul)ly,  and  subsequently  held  the  rank  of  brigadier  general  in  the; 
militia,    lie  died  February  33,  18i;{. 


■ 


50 


INTRODUCTION. 


buildings,  barns  an.l   stacks  of  grain.     Most  of  the 
inliabitiints  liad  removed  their  families  to  tlie   forts, 
and  only  wont  out  to  tlae  harvest  fields  armed,  and  in' 
parties  of  sufficient  force  to  guard  against  surprise. 
As  It  was  Htill  early  in  the  morning,  none  had  gone 
out,  and  but  few  individuals  remaif^ed  at  their  homes 
These  were   chiefly  those  who  secretly  sympathised 
^vith   the  loyalists,  and  their  property  was  for  this 
reason  mostly  spared  by  the  invaders,   but  only  to 
await  destruction   at  the  hands  of   their  indignant 
neighbors,  after  the  enemy  were  gone. 

It  was  a  cold  autumnal  (hiy,  and  the  driving  north- 
west wind,  often  laden  with  sleet,  served  to  fan  and 
spread  the  fires  which  the  enemy  set  to  the  abandoned 
property  of  the  settlors.  ' 

Soon  after  the  first  alarm,  a  party  of  nineteen 
volunteers  was  sent  out  from  the  middle  fort,  to 
ascertain  its  cause ;  but  soon  returned,  having  narrowly 
escaped  being  surrounded  and  cut  oft?  The  enemy 
Boon  appeared  ],efore  the  fort,  and  some  skii-mishino- 
ensued  between  their  advanced  forces  and  small  parties 
of  the  garrison,  l)ut  without  loss  on  either  side. 

Colonel  Johnson  then  brought  up  a  small  morh.r 
and^wtliree  pounder  field  piece,  and  fired  for  some 

'  Slmms',  History  of  fIrJmhaHe  Cojuif,,,  p.  403    We  l.avo  ,>,-!n,.i.>„n 

ml.,  wluch  were  ck-nvea  entirely  ,ro,„  personal  r.n.ollee  ,„.  an 
ul.nons  rece.ve.1  from  the  families  present  npon  ,he  .urasi         W 

arc  not  aware  of  the  exislenc..  of  any  offl..ial  aeconnts  wit!  minme 
...n.lents  dating  at  or  near  the  tin.e  of  these  events 


iM^ 


INTKODUCTIOiV. 


51 


time  upon  the  fort,  but  without  material  effect.  An 
officer  ami  two  men  were  then  sent  bearing  a  wliite 
flag,  but  as  they  approached  the  fort,  they  were  fired 
upon.'  This  checked  their  advance,  and  they  returned. 
The  flag  advanced  a  second  and  a  third  time,  but  was 
each  time  stopped  l)y  a  rifle  shot  from  the  fort,  when 
finding  further  attempt  at  parley  impossible,  the  firing 
was  resimied.  The  work  of  devastation  having  been 
completed,  and  the  spirit  of  tne  garrison  a]»pearing  to 
defy  an  assault,  the  invaders  about  three  o'clock  in  the 


1  Popular  traditions,  ami  published  accounts  founded  thereon, 
unite  in  denouncing  Major  Woolsey  as  a  coward,  and  in  ascribing 
tlie  tiring  upon  the  flag,  to  Thomas  Murpliy,  an  intrepid  partizan  of 
Irisli  birtli,  wlio  liad  formerly  belonged  lO  Morgan's  Uifle  Corps,  and 
had  remained  at  Sdioluirie  after  his  company  were  withdrawn. 
According  to  these  accounts,  Major  Woolsey  was  disposed  to  receive 
tlie  flag,  and  to  surrender  upon  any  terms  that  might  be  oH'ered ;  but 
that  Murphy,  encouraged  by  the  militia  officers  and  tlie  garrison, 
persisted  in  stopping  it  with  his  ritle,  and  even  threatened  violence 
to  the  major,  should  he  venture  to  attempt  a  negotiation.  It  is  (piite 
probal)le  that  the  major  may  have  been  very  unpopular,  and  the 
ranger  a  great  ftivorite  with  the  garrison  ;  but  we  are  not  disposed  to 
give  credit  tc  the  extreme  statements  respecting  either  of  these  persons. 
The  tendency  to  miignify  the  faults  of  an  unsuccessful  t)fflcer,  and 
to  multiply  anecdotes  concerning  tliose  who  prove  themselves  ener- 
getic and  enterprising  in  times  of  danger,  is  too  well  known  to  allow 
us  to  place  dependence  upon  either,  as  elements  of  precise  history. 

We  have  a  forcible  illustration  of  tliis,  in  tlie  traditions  that  have 
Ijcen  embodied  in  all  the  histories  reliiting  to  General  Van  Kenssehier's 
pursuit  of  Sir  John  Johnson  up  the  Jloliawk  valley  in  1780.  Without 
an  exception,  these  are  altogetlier  unfavorable  to  his  reputation. 
And  yet,  a  court  of  incjuiry,  held  soon  after,  and  before  which  all 
the  testimony  that  enemies  could  find  was  produced,  failed  to  detect 
any  fault  in  his  measures,  and  felt  itself  constrained  to  report,  "  that 
the  whole  of  his  conduct,  botli  before  and  after,  as  well  as  in  the 
action  of  the  19th  of  October,  was  not  only  unexceptional,  but  such 
as  become  a  good,  active,  faithiul,  pnulent  and  spirited  officer,  and 


52 


INTUODIKJTION. 


I  1 


^tftor,u,oM,  ,loHiHto<l  from  furtlu...  lu,.tilifios,  u.ul  con- 
tinued their  niiiivh  down  the  valley. 

But  two  personn  wore  mortally  wo,„„le,l  i„  the 
>'-l<llo  fort,  while  the  Ions  of  the  enen.y  is  helieved  to 
have  been  ^tri-eater.  The  little  ^ariison  ha.l  expen.led 
I'Hxst  of  their  ammunition  when  the  euen^y  retired 

Several  «eonts  sent  out  from  the  lower  fort  to  lean, 
t  le  pro.^reHs  of  events  up  the  valley  returned  pursued 
by  the  enemy,  who  appeared  about  four  o'elock  in  the 
atkM-noon,  and  passed  this  fort  upon  both  shies.  Several 
Bharp-shooters  were  stationed  in  the  tower  of  the  cluireh, 

sr  r'lt;^;:!.;:;-^ "  "'^  --'^'^-  - "-  ~.  - 

''Here  too,  this  warrior  Pire  witl. honor  rests, 

\\  ho  bared  in  IreedomV  cause  his  valiant  hrea^  t 

Sprang  from  liis  haif  drawn  furrow,  m  the  cry 

Of  threatened  Liberty  camo  thrilling  by  I 
Loolc'd  to  his  God,  and  reared  in  buiwark  round 
Breast  free  from  gulie,  and  hands  with  toii  cn.browncd. 
And  bade  a  nionarci.'s  thousand  banners  yield- 
Firm  at  the  plough,  and  glorious  in  the  field 
Lo !  hero  he  rests,  who  every  danger  braved' 
Honored  and  marked  amid  the  soil  he  saved  " 


INTRODUCTION. 


r)3 


wlio  were  prepared  for  eftectivc  sei-vice,  and  the  enemy 
after  firing  a  few  cannon  shot,  tvo  of  wliicli  lodj?ed  in 
tlie  timbers  of  the  roof,'  and  burnit-g  several  buildings 
in  the  neighborhood,  continued  their  march  without 
attempting  further  ho.stiHtiort  at  this  place,  and  cn- 
oam])cd  for  the  night  six  miles  below. 

Intelligenco  of  the  jtresencc  of  the  enemy  at  Schoharie 
reached  Governor  Clinton  at  Albany  by  noon  on  the 
17th,  and  Colonel  Veeder  sent  another  messenger  with  a 
full  account  of  the  destruction  of  the  settlements  as 
soon  as  the  enemy  had  passed  the  lower  fort.  Orders 
were  at  once  sent  to  General  Robert  Van  Rensselaer, 
and  measures  were  immediately  taken  to  rally  a  force 
of  militia  sutticicnt  for  pursuit.  The  general  arrived 
at  Schenectady  towards  evening  on  the  18tli,  while  the 
horizon  towards  Schoharie  was  still  glowing  with  the 
fires  set  by  the  enemy  the  day  before,  and  lost  no  time 
in  consulting  upon  measures  for  hastening  the  march 
of  Ills  troops  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  He  also  sent 
word  to  Colonel  Vrooman,  directing  him  to  send  such 
troops  as  could  be  spared  from  the  Schoharie  forts,  to 
hang  u]ion  the  roar  of  the  enemy,  but  to  avoid  an 
engagement  until  he  could  come  Up.  This  order  was 
fidthfully  executed.  His  force  at  that  time  was  about 
seven  hundred  men,  but  more  were  expected  during 
the  night.  A  few  head  of  cattle  intended  for  Fort 
Schuyler  were    slaughtered,    and    all    the    ovens    in 

'Mr.  John  Gcbliard,  jr.,  of  Schoharie,  has  one  of  these  shot  in  his 
possession.    The  other  is  owned  by  Mr.  Sinims  of  Fort  Plain. 


54 


INTUODUCTION. 


1! 

i; 


to™  wc-e  put  i„  ,.,,,„i,i,i„„  ,„  .„j,,,|^  y,^  ^,^^^^  ^.^1^ 

U.,riu^.tl,o  evening,  General  V,.n  I{o„»,elae,.  oalle.l 
mean,  lor  i,,.*,.,,,^,  ,,,.  „„„.„,,_  ,„,^,  .^  ^,^^  J 

'"!  "T"  *""»'»l'""i"Sthe„,  a  part  of  «,„  way; 

™ta,„fte,o„t  nnn,bcr  c„„l,l  „„t  1,„  e„ll.,,,e,I  inZ^ 
tl»  ...ght,  and  H™  plan  wa,  aban.loncl.  The  t^ong 
wore  hvonaeked  in  tl.o  ,„b„..|«  of  tbe  town,  an.l  L 
-con  a.  t.«,conM  receive  tl.eir  nation,  in  the  n.orning, 
ttey  bog,u,  thcr  march  „p  ,ho  ,„„,b  Me  of  the  river 
Governor  Clinton,  who  w„,  then  at  Albany,  took 

me„™.e.  for  as.cn,blin^at  once  ,„ch  remaining  roe* 
»nd  »ppl,e,  a,  the  eonntry  conl.1  atfbrd,  vvlthT 
v.ew  of  fo,l„,ving  the  expCKion,  an,.  ,u  tai,,,*  L 
moA'ements.  *= 

On  the  morning  of  tl^e  18th,  the  enemy  resumed 

For    Hunter  halfu  mile  to  their  .>ht,  continued  up 
on  the  south  bunk  of  the  Mohawk,  to  a  pkace  nZ 

known  as  Willow  Basin    n  ai     .   ,•  . 

mow  iiami,  a  short  distance  below  the 

^ose,  where  they  encamped  for  the  night.  Their  route 
wasmai^ed  l,yageneral pillage  and  burning':^trS 
except..  Of  a  few  houses  owned  by  persons^ 'suppos^ 
to  be  ot  loyal  sympathies.  Most  of  the  inhab  tants 
!!:!!!!!^!^  of  the  coming  danger.in  time  to  e^^ 

trooj,s.  P"'"'  *^'  ^'°"«''«  destroyed  In  June  by  Sir  John's 


lift' 

'if 

1; 


INTKODirf'TIOX. 


nr, 


into  tho  flclds  an<l  woods,  wlioro  tlioy  witnessed  the 
plunder  and  destruction  of  their  property.  A  detacli- 
ment  under  Captain  Duncan,'  crossed  to  the  north 
bank,  and  destroyed  what  had  escaped  tho  invasion  of 
Sir  John  in  May  previous,  excepting  a  stone  church  at 
Caughnawaga  tliat  had  been  built  under  the  patronage 
of  Sir  William  Johnson  a  few  years  before  the  war.* 

On  the  morning  of  the  19th,  having  forded  the 
Mohawk  with  his  mainbody  at  Keator's  Rift,  near  tho 
present  village  of  Sprikers,  they  continued  their  course 
up  tho  north  side  of  the  valley,  as  the  south,  having 
already  been  ravaged  in  August  by  Brant,  had  but  little 
left  to  invite  destruction. 

General  Van  Rensselaer  continued  his  march  during 
the  day  with  as  much  expedition  as  the  state  of  the 
roads  would  admit,  and  at  night  on  the  1 8th,  had 
arrived  opposite  the  former  residence  of  Sir  William 
Johnson,  about  twenty  miles  above  Schenectady.  He 
there  halted  to  rest  his  troops  until  the  moon  arose, 
and  between  ten  and  eleven  resumed  his  march,  having 
in  the  meantime  dispatched  a  messenger  to  go  around 

'  Captain  Richard  Duncan  liad  formerly  lived  near  Schenectady, 
and  died  there  in  February,  1819.  ITe  was  for  a  time  member  of  tho 
executive  council  of  iJ^ner  Canada. 

2  This  venerable  edifice  after  being  used  as  n  church  until  quite 
modern  times,  and  afterwards  Cor  a  short  time  as  an  academy, 
unfortunately  became  the  property  of  an  opulent,  but  avaricious 
citizen,  who  a  year  or  two  since,  sold  the  materials  for  other  building 
purposes.  A  small  part  is  said  to  be  still  left.  Tf  ^tood  near  the  rail 
roud,  in  the  lower  part  of  the  village  of  Fonda.  It  is  to  be  regretted 
tliiit  tlie  veneration  for  things  ancient,  evinced  by  Sir  .loim's  Indians, 
could  not  find  its  counterpart  at  the  present  lime. 


50 


IMRDDUCTION. 


m  a.lvanco  of  tl,c  onom.y,  to  notify  Colonol  Brown  at 
Stono  Arabia,  and  C^olonel  Bu  Boin  at  Fort  Plain,  (tl.en 
called  lort  Kcns«olaer)  of  hin  approach.  Jfo  ordered 
thorn  to  endeavor  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check  until  ho 
conld  come  up,  when  it  wan  hoped  that  by  tlicir 
condnned  forcen,  they  ndght  he  able  to  capture  the 
invaders. 

^    Colonel  Brown,  who  the,,  commanded  at  Fort  I'aris 
m   the  Stone  Arabia   settlement,  had  under  him  a' 
force  of  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  men  of  the 
Massachusetts    levic,     and    lo    was     an    officer    of 
"ndoubted    ability  and    tried    coura^^e.       T,    i«    ,ot 
corta.nly  known  whether  he  received  t].o  message  of 
General  Van  Rensselaer,  or  whether  hi«  movements 
wore  occasioned  by  the  rum'ors  he  received  of  the 
onemy'K  approach,  and  his  own  sense  of  duty  under 
tl.o  cn-cuu.stances.'     He,  however,  formed  his  com 
niand  :n  line  of  battle,  on  tho  morning  of  the  1  mh 
excepting  a  few  left  to  guard  the  fort,  and  marched' 
down  th.  road  leadh.g  southward  towards  the  Mohr  wk 
llo  met  the  enemy  on  the  slopes  of  the  valley,  aboui 
a  nnle  from  the  present  village  of  Palatine  Brido-e 
when  a  battle   ensued   that  continued  to  be  fought 
with  bravery,  until  himself  and  thirty-nine  of  his  men 
were  killed,   and   two  capturcl.     The   remainder  of 
hiB^s  broke  and  fled  towards  iort  Rensselaer, 

B^rL.flJ'S.et;^-'"  '"•  ^''^^-P""^'-'-.    that  Colon., 
^^^^  ^^^^^^^^  by  Msc  .ntolhgencc  into  the  fire  of  the  whole  body  of 


Iff 


WMU 
■ll 


nnmi 


INTHODITTION. 


67 


about  throo  miles  diHtout,  on  the  soutli  Imnk  of  the 
rivor.'  ' 

The  loHH  of  tlio  enemy  on  tliiB  occaHion  is  not  known. 

Forts  Keyser  and  J'aris,  at  Stor>c  Arabia  wore,  at  this 

'C.lonol  Brown  wbh  bom  October  1»,  1744,  uriMlimtwl  ot  Yalo 
coHcRcin  1771,  was  c(hicalc(l  iih  a  lawyer,  niarrlotl,  aii<»  mttlcd  at 
PlttKfieUl  in  MnHsaclnmcttH.  llo  took  an  early  IntirvHt  in  tlio  rcvo- 
Intion,  and  accompanied  the  eximlition  to  Canada  in  1770,  wlicrc  lie 
served  witli  niucli  credit,  and  especially  dlstUiguiBhed  himself  in  the 
capture  of  Clianibly. 

During  tidg  campaign,  Colonel  Brown  had  repeated  opportuniliea 
for  olwerving  tlie  cliaractcr  of  Arnf)ld  ;  and  judged  correctly  of  tlut 
basencHs  of  Ma  principles,  and  the  sliallowiiess  of  hlH  patriotism. 
Wliiie  stationed  at  Albany  tlie  following  winter,  he  publicly  and 
boldly  accused  tiu-  general  of  treasonable  motives,  and  althougli 
these  expressions  were  repeated  l)y  Brown  in  his  presence,  he  did 
not  venture  to  reply.  This  luitred  to  Arnold  was  clierished  to  the 
last,  and  when  the  geniTal  was  arraigned  before  a  c^ourt  martial, 
under  charges  of  misconduct  while  in  command  at  Pliiladelphia, 
Colonel  Brown  sought  occasion  to  tender  to  the  prosecution,  tlie 
information  he  possessed  concerning  his  conduct. 

In  the  course  of  Burgoyne's  expedition.  Colonel  Brown  performed 
an  act  of  successful  strategy  in  tlie  rear  of  the  Britisli  army  which 
tended  to  hasten  the  result.  On  the  12th  of  Heptember,  1777,  he  was 
sent  byOeneral  Lincoln,  witli  live  iiundred  men,  to  destroy  some 
stores  at  the  north  end  of  Lake  George,  while  anotlier  force  under 
Colonel  Johnson,  was  ordered  to  attack  Tlconderoga  and  Mount 
Independence.  Htill  another  body  of  militia,  under  Colonel  Wood- 
bridge,  was  sent  forward  to  Bkeenesborougli  and  Fort  Ann.  Colonel 
Brown  arrived  on  tlie  heights  above  the  landing  on  the  ITtli,  attacked 
the  enemy  the  next  morning,  and  got  possession  of  the  landing  place, 
the  mills,  and  a  block-house.  Captain  Ebenezer  Allen,  witli  forty 
Bangers  carried  Mount  Defiance,  and  the  party  sent  against  Tlcon- 
deroga surprised  and  captured  a  company  of  troops.  Tliese  several 
parties  captured  13  oflicers,  144  British,  and  HI)  Canadians,  and  18 
artificers,  and  released  118  American  prisoners  besides  destroying  a 
large  ([uantity  of  stores. 

No  mention  is  made  of  Colonel  Brown  in  the  oftlclal  reports  of 
these  events,  as  Arnokl  who  then  had  the  ear  of  Gates,  is  supposed 
to  have  prejudiced  tliat  officer  against  him. 
8 


58 


INTRODUCTION. 


Uh 


time  crowded  with  families,  and  capable  of  but  feeble 
resistance.  The  enemy  had,  however,  no  time  to 
waste  in  attacking  them,  and  after  the  defeat  of 
CoIoncUBrown,  they  dispersed  over  a  wide  extent  of 
Tradition  relates,  that  wl.cn  Colonel  Brown  fonned  his  men  ,n 

lawyer  at  Canajoharie  '  ^^°°^'  ""^"^  "  y°"°ff 

^ni?;;:3:-zr ;; -=  ir  c.r  ::trrf 

Its  ft..,ations  have  settled,  S^in^i":  i::^!:^:^^  t!. 

;::~;o:r-st:r^^''-^^ 

Of  Uje  lollowin,  verses-written  l^ -':  ^fl^r  ^^^^^ 
event.    They  were  set  to  musle,  eud  have  been  favorably  noticed 

IIB  SLEEPS: -THE  ICY  SEAL  OF  DEATH. 
(Am -0/  bid  me  not  thai  strain  to  si,ig). 

He  Bleeps.    "  The  icy  seal  of  death 

Ih  set  upon  his  brow." 
The  cannon's  roar,  ho  heeds  no  more. 

He  rests  in  silence  now. 
The  tnimpet's  clangor's  heard  afar, 

And  standards  i)rrvudly  wave. 
But  he  who  braved  tlie  battle's  shock. 

Now  slumbers  in  tlie  grave. 

Now  slumbers  in  tho  grave. 


INTRODUCTION. 


69 


country,  setting  fire  to  every  thing  combustible  in  the 
settlement.^ 

General  Van  Rensselaer  came  up  a  little  before 
noon,  about  an  hour  after  the  battle  was  over.  lie 
had  seen  the  columns  of  smoke,  and  heard  the  firing ; 


Un  Bleeps.    The  noble  warrior  sleeps 

Upon  the  battle  plain  : 
Nor  e'er  will  he,  to  victory, 

Ills  comrades  lead  again. 
Uls  country  called  him  to  command, 

He  spumed  the  tyrant's  sway ; 
The  God  of  battles  nerved  his  arm, 

And  glory  led  the  way, 

And  glory  led  the  way. 

With  patriot  band  he  left  Wb  hciiie 

To  strike  for  Liberty ; 
And  march'd  to  brave  the  battle's  wave. 

Determined  to  be  free. 
Ills  country  now  his  fate  deplores. 

Ills  gallant  comrades  weep : 
He  cannot  hear  their  loud  laments. 

He  sleeps  a  dreamless  sleep, 

He  Bleeps  a  dreamless  sleep. 

Rest  Warrior  I   Tlion  liast  galn'd  a  wreath 

Of  never  dying  fame ; 
And  hallow'd  be  thy  memory ; 

And  honored  be  thy  name. 
Thy  spliit,  warrior  1  is  with  God 

In  mansions  of  the  blest, 
The  clash  of  arms,  and  war's  alarms. 

No  more  disturb  thy  rest. 

No  more  disturb  thy  rest. 

'  Fort  Keyscr  was  a  stone  house  stockaded  and  used  as  a  place  o  f 
retreat  for  families  in  case  of  alarm  from  tlic  enemy.  It  stood  on  the 
site  of  a  barn  now  owned  by  John  A.  Faling  about  a  mile  and  a 
quarter  southeast  of  Stone  Arabia.  On  the  19th,  it  was  in  charge  of 
Captain  John  Zielie  and  about  half  a  dozen  men.  Jlr.  John  Dillenbeck , 
now  (1800) ninety-two  years  ofage, remembers  having  seen  as  a  child, 
from  an  upper  window,  the  flames  of  some  neighbors'  houses  in  the 
direction  of  Fort  Paris,  and  a  file  of  red  coats  pa.ssing  at  some  distance 
to  the  west.  He  is  probably  the  only  one  living,  who  has  any  personal 
recollection  of  the  events  of  this  invasion. 


''[      f 


INTRODUCTION. 

I".t  itw,.  i,„„o„ible  f,„.  hin,  to  „rt,,^  ti,„e,y,elioi: 
11..  fo.-co  at  thi,  time  c„„.i*,,  „f  „w„t  „i,.o  l.„„,„,., 
mo„    „K.l,„Ii„g  fltty  o„cM„,,  „,Kl  after  „  briof  c„„. 
."lta.,o„  with  Colonel  B„  Hoi,  a,  Fort  Re„«Iao,.  ho 
save  o„lo«forUs  .roo„s  ,o  cro«  to  the  north  b^k 
a.   »o„    „,   ,,„„„,,,.     T,,oy   „.o,.„   oxba,„.o<l   ,vith 
fttiguo    tho  river  ,va»   too  deep  to  ford.  „„.,   the 
moan,  of  eroding  «.ere  limited  to  a  small  f„„y,  and  a 

"long  ,vh,ch  the  men  eonlj  olimb  with  diffleult.,  fron, 
one  to  another.  8eve,.I  bo„„  e,a,«ed  before  they 
were  all  over,  ^ 

General  Van  Ron.elaor  havin,.  at  length  crossed 
ln«  troops  formed  them  in  three  columns,  the  ri^ht 
along  the  high  grounds  under  Colonel  Du  Bois,  of  ^he 

Ws,  the  left  by  Colonel  Cuyler  of  the  militia,  and 
he  centre  bv  Colonel  miting,  and  advanced  towards 
he  enemy  who  were  met  near  Ivlock's  place,  about 
«u-ee  miles  below  the  present  ^dllage  of  St.  Johnsville 
The  enemy  formed  a  line  of  battle  with  their  ranger^ 
on  then-  right,  resting  upon  the  river,  their  regulart  in 
column  m  the  centre,  and  their  Indians  and  German 
nflemen   on  their  left  about  one  hundred   and  fifty 
yards  in  advance,  in  an  orchard  near  Klock's  house 
The  general  came   up  to  the   enemy  about  sunset,' 
and   an  irregular  firing  began;   but  his   lines  soon 
got  into  disorder,   a  portion   in    front   of  the    rest 
and  there  appeared  danger  of  their  firing  upon  one' 
another.     The  darkness,  which  was  hastened  by  the 


IF?" 


INTRODUCTION. 


61 


smoke  of  burning  buildings  in  tbo  valley,  increased 
tliis  danger,  and  after  consulting  with  his  officers  it 
was  decided  to  fall  back  about  a  mile  and  encamp 
on  the  hills.  The  troops  at  this  time  were  quite 
destitute  of  supplies ;  but  some  were  expected  during 
the  night,  and  it  was  resolved  to  renew  hostilities  early 
the  next  morning. 

The  enemy  were  quite  as  exhausted  as  their  pursuers 
by  their  late  march,  but  with  this  advantage  that  they 
were  abundantly  supplied  by  plundering  the  country. 
Their  force  and  condition  did  not,  however,  justify 
any  further  hostilities  if  they  could  be  avoided,  and 
during  the  night  they  succeeded  in  crossing  again 
to  the  E^uth  bank,  leaving  one  small  cannon,  their 
wounded  and  a  part  of  their  plunder  in  the  hands  of 
their  pursuers. 

With  the  first  morning  light,  a  party  set  out  to 
pursue,  and  as  soon  as  practicable  the  whole  army  was 
in  motion.  But  the  river  was  again  between  them, 
and  the  enemy  who  had  now  no  time  to  spare  in 
plundering  and  burning  made  good  their  retreat  by 
passing  around  Fort  Herkimer  to  the  south. 

The  army  under  General  Van  Rensselaer  reached 
Ilerkimer  the  next  day ;  but  they  had  lost  all  trace  of 
the  enemy  and  the  Indian  scouts  who  were  sent  out 
failed  to  discover  their  trail.  Governor  Clinton  here 
came  up  and  assumed  command.  Parties  were  sent 
out  to  within  fifteen  miles  of  Oneida ;  but,  although  they 
fouml  the  remains  of  their  last  nights'  encampment,  the 


62 


INTRODUCTION. 


ft'*: 
*  I 


eneniy  were  beyond  reach  of  pursuit,  u„d  they  returned 
to  Fort  Ilerkimcr. 

But  this  brief  campaign  did   not  end  without  ntill 
further    disaster    to    the    American    arms.       Major 
Hughes,  commanding  at  Fort  Schuyler,  having  learned 
of  the  place  where  the  enemy  had  concealed  their 
boats,    dispatched    a    party  of   men  muler  Captain 
Vrooman  to  destroy  them,  and  thus  prevent  their 
escape.     One  of  the  party  having  been  taken  sick,  or 
foigmng  himself  so,  was  left  at  Oneida,  and  from  him 
bir  John  learned  of  the  movement,  and  so  effectually 
succeeded  in  surprising  the  party  while  at  dinner,  that 
nearly  every  man  was  captured.     By  this  success,  the 
enemy  gained  without  loss  to  themselves,  two  captains 
one  lieutenant,  eight  non-comAussioned  officers,   and 
forty-five  privates  as  prisoners.     Three  privates  and 
one  heutenant  were  killed,  and  but  two  men  escaped 
to  report  the  tidings  of  the  disaster.      This  event 
occurred  on  the  23(1  of  October.' 

About  a  week  after  the  escape  of  Sir  John  by  way 
of  Oswego,  the  northern  settlements  were  thrown  into 
confusion  by  a  false  alarm  of  the  reappearance  of  a 
arge  f.rce  on  Lake  George.  It  proved  to  be  ground- 
less, and  the  orders  which  had  been  given  for  marclung 
troops  thither  were  countermanded.  • 

'  Some  time  afterwards,  a  report  was  brought  in  by  an  Indian  tl.nf 
retuu,  to  their  rendezvous  at  Fort  Carleton,  on  Buck  island. 


iw. 


I 


■'it' 


INTRODUCTION, 


0^- 


).) 


In    this    invasion,    the    enemy   upon   a    moderate 
computation  destroyed  two  hundred  dwellings,  and  a 
hundred  and  fifty  thousand  bushels  of  wheat,  with  a 
proportion  of  other  grain  and  forage,   and   a  large 
amount  of  property.     They  lost  about  forty  prisoners, 
and  were  obliged  to  abandon  most  of  those  they  had 
tfiken  at  Schoharie  and  other  places,  with  the  negroes, 
cattle  and  plunder,  mth  which  they  were  encumbered. 
Their  loss  was  officially  acknowledged  as  nine  killed, 
,  seven   wound-d,    and    fifty-three    missing;    but  was 
probably  gro:  ter,  although  not  equal  to  the  loss  they 
inflicted  upon  the  country. 

Having  traced  to  its  conclusion  the  events  of  this 
campaign,    it    may    be    interesting    to    notice    their 
coincidence  with  others  that  were   transpiring  upon 
the    Hudson.       Early    in   August,    General    Arnold 
having  been  for  many  months  in  secret  correspondence 
with  me  enemy,  received  upon  his  own    application 
the  command  of  West  Point,  for  the  purpose,  as  is 
now  too  well  known,  of  giving  value  to  the  treason 
which  he  was  preparing  to  commit,  by  surrendering 
a  most  important  post  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
In  a  letter  from  Governor  Ilaldimand  to  Lord  Ger- 
main, dated  on  the  17th  of  September,  two  expeditions 
were  mentioned  as  about  to  set  out  from  Canada  for 
the  invasion  of  New  York;  and  at  the  time  when 
Arnold's  treason  was  discovered  on   the   25th,  these 
were  both  under  way,   and  far  advanced. 

^Vliilo  it  is  not  necessary  to  suppose  that  Governor 


64 


INTHODUCTION. 


irnl.lin.an.l  wns  infbnno,!  of  tl.(.  tron«o„al.lc  plot  then 
in  proKivsH,  or  nuicl,  Ic-hm  a.iy  one  coniuH-ted  witli 
thorn  cxiKMlitions,  wo  ji.ul  ,n„pK>  ,,,,j,„„  ^^  ^.j.^.,,;^ 
tlu.  opinions  oxpro.Ho.l  in  the  corroHpondonoo  of  the 
•loj:  that  tlu-v  wofo  onlore.l  for  tlio  purpose  of 
I'roatin-  a  (livorniou  of  the  American  forc-es,  and  of 
«"'Ili...i;  off  a  part  of  tlie  troops  from  the  noi^rhborhood 
of  West  Point,  in  order  to  facilitate  its  surrender. 

Fndcr  this  view  of  the  facts,  we  are  justified  in  the 
inference,  that  the  .letails  of  tlie  conspiracy  would 
have  been  arran.i,^cd,  ana  the  plans  Tnafn-edtowards 
the  end  of  October,  and  that  the  treason  M-as  dis- 
eovered  about  one  month  before  it  was  to  have  been 
carried  into  effect. 

The  devastation  and  consQquent  alarms  on  the 
Connecticut,  on  the  upper  IFudson,  and  nhmg  the 
Afohawk  and  Schoharie  valleys,  followed  by  the 
Hi.rrender  of  the  TFi-hlands,  mifrht  indeed  havJ  been 
conntod  ui.on  as  a  fearful  if  not  a  fatal  blow  to  the 
rebellion,  and  these  prospects  doubtless  led  those  who 
were  privy  to  the  nejrotiations,  to  count  lar<?ely  upon 
the  'jonetits  they  might  derive  from  them. 

The  documejits  Ave  now  publish,  are  chiefly  derived 
from  papers  in  the  Secretary's  office  and  the  Xew  York 
State  Library,  and  with  the  exception  of  such  as  are 
copied  fi'om  cotemporary  newspapers,  have  never 
before  been  printed.  The  serit^  -  known  as  the  mHoii 
Papers  and  Lc;ikl,tiirc  Papers,  have  been  especially 
useful  in  the  preparation  of  the  present  volume. 


I. 

1 

1 

1 

ri.   ? 

U 

i  ! 


!5 


f  i'j 

i  j 


ROITES 
NOHTUERN  INVASIONS 

0 


NORTHERN   INVASION 


Letter  from  Colovel  Peter  Bellmga-} 

Fort  Dayton,  Sept.  the  \st,  1780. 
Sir: 

Yesterday  afternoon,  about  four  o'clock,  the  enemies 
appeared  in  our  neighborhood  about  four  miles  N.  E. 
from  this,  66  strong,  as  forty-oii!;ht  Indians,  eighteen 
white  men,  where  a  boy  has  been  by  they  tooked  last 
year  prisoner  down  Susquehanna: — attacked  Christian 
Shell  with  his  family,  tooked  two  of  his  sons,  both 
eight  years  old  prisoners,  the  man  retired  with  the 
rest  of  his  family  in  his  house,  and  begun  the  battle 
with  them,  and  fought  wnth  the  greatest  spirit  till  two 
hours  in  the  nijrht.'  lie  killed  and  wounded  about 
fifteen,  took  one  priBoner  name'  Dan'  McDonneld. 
His  oldcHt  son  got  a  slight  wound  hruiigh  his  arm  1)y 
this  affair,  but  all  the  rest  of  the  !   moly  is  save.     His 


'Colonel  Bellinger  waa  commissioned  Juno  25,  1778,  and  his 
regiment  included  the  German  Fliii  t-*  and  Kingslands  Districts.  He 
died  at  Herkimer  Sept.  1815,  aged  5.  years. 

>  Sec  BUme's  Life  of  Brm.  t,  ii,  104.    Jkntan's  Herkimer,  93. 
9 


1 


II 

ir 


GO 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


Other  two  sons  beLuvod   during  the   affair  with  the 
greatest  spirit,  and  assisted  the  father.     He  got  one  of 
the  death,  [dead]  whose  name  has  been  Matthew  Bryon, 
and  put  tliem  both  in  the  liouse,  gave  the  womuled 
their  milk  and   bread,   went  oft'  and   came  in   tliis 
morning  about  eight  o'clock.     They  carried  seven  on 
litters  with  them.     The  man  [is]  supposed  [to]  liave, 
with  his  three  sons,  wounded  and  killed  fifteen  of  the 
enemy,  but  it  has  been  in  vain,  by  the  first  intelligence 
received,  I  detached  fifty  men  for  his  assistance  about 
mid..;,bt,  but  the  darkness  of  the  night  hindered  them 
from  being  there  sooner.      Just  [at]  daybreak  they 
came  to  the  house,  found  the  enemy  being  gone,  then 
they  carried  the  death,  [dead]  and  followed  the  enemies 
a  piece,  found  the  field  all  over  spotted  with  blood. 
They  brought  the  prisoner  to  tliis  post,  and  the  doct' 
found  his  thy  [thigh]  bone  very  much  fractured,  and 
a  swan  shot  in  the  joint  of  his  knee,  so  he  proposed  the 
amputation.     I  should  have  sent  a  stronger  partv,  but 
some  of  our  militia  heard  eight  guns  firing  up  towards 
Germantown,  so  I  thought  they  miglit  appear,  and 
attempt  to  attack  our  fort,  which  is  but  weak  in  men. 
Then  we  ha^-e  no  other  assistance  than  twenty"of  the 
three  months  levies,  whereby  is  eighteen  of  my  Reg' 
we  have  been  but  purely  [poorly]  assisted  all  the  time, 
an<l  being  entirely  outside.     If  any  thing  else  shall 
happen,  T  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  acquainting  you, 
and  remain  your  hum',  serv'., 

r'i:Ti;i{  IJMLLlNGKIi,   CoU. 


:\'.f;rn-mt:>Affgm-  - 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


67 


P.  S. —  Sir:  You  will  please  to  send  this  to  Col. 
Van  Schaik/  wlio  will  forward  to  liis  Excellency  the 
Governor. 


Letter  from  Colonel  Van  Schaiek  to  Governor  Clinton. 


Sir: 


Albany,  September  blh,  1780. 


At  the  desire  of  Colonel  Pellingcr,  I  have  the 
pleasure  to  enclose  your  Excellency  a  letter  containing 
an  account  of  a  gallant  aftair  which  happened  near 
the  Grerman  Flatts. 

I  have  yesterday  been  informed  by  Captain  James 
Watson,  one  of  the  purchasing  coniniissaries  for  the 
state  of  Connecticut,  that  no  salt  meat  could  be  had 
at  any  of  the  magazines  in  that  state,  and  that  the 
order  sent  for  that  purpose  by  his  Excellency  General 
Washington  would  bo  returned. 

It  is  -with  the  utmost  concern  that  1  inform  your 
Excellency  that  notwithstanding  the  impress  warrants 
put  into  the  hands  of  the  persons  appointed  for 
procuring  supplies  of  provisions  for  the  use  of  the 
troops  in  this  quarter,  nothing  has  yet  been  procured 
in  consequence  of  them. 

I  have  for  some  time  past  caused  repeated  applica- 


•Gozen  Van  Schaiek,  of  the  2cl  Continental  Battalion,    lie  died  at 
Albany,  .July  1,  1T89,  a^cd  oU  yeaw. 


68 


NORTIIEKN  INVASION. 


tions  to  be  made  for  provisions  for  the  northern  and 
western  frontier  posts  in  this  quarter  who  have  for 
this  month  past  been  illy  supplied  but  these  to  no 
purpose.     The  time  in  which  Fort  Scliuyler  ought  to 
be  supplied  with  provisions  until  the  first  of  February 
next  is  rapidly  advancing,  and  I  have  not  now  even 
a  distant  prospect  of  a  supply  for  that  garrison  until 
the  1st  of  December  next,   and  by  a  letter  I  have 
received  lately  from  Fort  Schuyler  I  find  the  minds 
of  that  garrison  are  more  disaftected  to  their  situation 
and  circumstances  than  ever. 

The  true  reason  of  Brant's  appearing  with  his  party 
before  the  garrison,  was  the  fullest  assurance  had 
been  given  him  that  thoy  would  join  him  to  a  man. 
Indeed,  from  their  situation,  and  the  great  difficulty 
I  have  been  under  in  procuring  only  a  few  pair  of 
shoes,  it  is  what  I  have  ex-pected  daily  to  hear,  and 
they  are  made  to  believe  they  are  to  remain  until 
their  three  years  are  finished. 

T  am, 

most  respectfully 

your  Excellency's  most  obpdt. 

humble  servant 

G.  Van  Sciuick. 
His  Excellency  Govei-iior  Clinton. 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


09 


Letter  from  Lkut.  Col.  Jansm  to  Governor  Clinton.^ 


SlIAWANQUNK,  Scpt"  18,  1780. 


Sir: 


This  is  to  acquaint  your  Excellency,  that  the  savage 
enemy  have  been  at  my  house  this  morning,  took 
away  a  white  woman  and  three  negro  men,  and  firing 
has  been  heard  throughout  the  neighborhood.  Myself 
and  wife  have  escaped  after  defending  the  house  for 
some  time  till  the  enemy  dispersed, 
and  remain  in  haste, 

your  very  humble  servant, 

JoH"  Jansen,  Jun' 


I 


Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  Lkau  Col.  Jansen. 


POUQHKEEPSIE,  Sept.  18,  1780. 
Sir: 

I  have  rec'd  your  letter  of  to-day,  and  am  happy  to 
hear  that  you  have  escaped  the  enemy.  I  have  wrote 
to  Major  Clark  directing  him  to  march  that  part  of  your 
regiment  —  which  lies  on  the  river,  to  your  (iBslHtauce, 
unless  he  shall  have  received  accounts  iu  tfiK  Interim 
w"""  may  render  it  unnecessary,  f^jid  you  litivo  inclosed 


'See  fitoiw's  Life  oflimnt,  ii,  (15 


ro 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


H  letter  to  Col"  Xewkirk,  for  the  like  pun^oBe,  w-  you 
wm  forward  to  ln,n,  if  .you  nhall  conceive  you  have 
occa.o„  for  hi.s  aid.  Col.  Pawling  with  his  levies 
was  at  N:ven's[?JKilI  thi.s  naorning,  and  if  quickly 
acquan.ted  with  the  ciroun.stance.  you  mention,  will 
W  It  m  hia  power  to  iutoreept  the  enemy  on  hin 
return  CoP  Oantine  is  also  dispatched  to  that  quarter 
to  put  Ins  reg'  in  motion. 

I  am,  etc., 

G.  C. 


Lcticrfrom  Governor  Clinion  to  IJcut.  Col.  Naoklrk} 

I 

Sil..  roUGIIKEEl'PIE,  Septr  18,  1780. 

.  I  ^'"r"  J"''*  '•^"^'•'  '^  '^"tter  from  Col"  Joh^  Jansen^ 
i"formH.g  n.e  that  the  savages  have  a^acked  him  in 
1-^  .ouse  and  that  firing  has  since  been  heard  in  the 
neighborhood. 

1  have  therefore  to  request  that  you  will  march  to 
i-epel  the  enemy  as  many  men  of  your  reg'  as  you  can 
convomently  collect  leaving  orders  for  the  remainder 
to  tollow  you. 

m    ^  I  am  &c.  a  C 

ToLt.  CoPJfewkirk.  ' 


■  J-ob  -ewkirk  UHH  nppoint.,1  li.„„,,,„t  ..olon.!,  Marrl.  o^,1770 
^JoLannis  Jansen  became  major   Marcli    -»   i-«        ,  ,• 
colomO,  FH).  37, 1779.  ■'    '  '    •''  ^"^^  '>"^1  lieutenant 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


71 


Letter  from  Lieut.  Col.  Jansen  to  Governor  Clinton. 


Sir 


SlIAWANCUTNIv,  Si'pf  Idth,  1780. 


I  liereby  transmit  yoii  a  more  particular  account 
of  the  miscliief  done  by  that  party  of  Enemy  who 
discovered  themselves  at  my  house  yesterday  morning, 
viz : 

Two  young  women  and  an  old  man  killed  and 
scalped,  one  of  the  former  was  taken  at  my  house  and 
carried  about  half  a  mile  from  thence,  where  she  was 
found  c;ead,  and  three  negro  slaves  they  took  with 
them :  t^^o  of  whom  belonged  to  myself  and  one  to 
my  brother  Thomas. 

As  soon  as  some  men  were  collected,  a  pursuit  was 
made  after  them  for  six  or  eight  miles  along  the 
mountains  towards  Memacatinge,  but  supposing 
them  to  be  some  distance  ahead,  and  our  men  liavins; 
been  without  provisions  p11  that  day,  and  being  not 
able  to  discover  their  tracks  any  longer,  which  oliiigod 
them  to  return  without  receiving  any  satisfaction. 
From  the  men's  accounts,  I  have  however,  some  liopes 
that  Col.  Pawling  will  intercept  them,  as  he  had  early 
intelligence  of  their  route.  This  affair  has  so  much 
alarmed  the  jK^ojle,  that  they  threaten  to  abandon 
their  homes,  unless  they  get  a  small  guard,  and  as  I 
conceive  tlieir  a[>prehension8  as  far  from  being  ground- 
less, T  have  therefore  thought  it  necessary  to  order 
(>\it  one  class  from  each  of  the  iive  frontier  companies*, 


72 


NOUTHEllN  INVASIOISr. 


which  I  propose  to  station,  with  such  of  the  inhabitants 
as  I  conceive  to  be  most  exposed,  until  I  shall  obtain 
your  Excellency's  directions  how  farther  to  conduct 
myself:  hoping  what  I  have  done,  may  meet  with 
your  Excellency's  approbation,  and  I  am  with  the 
greatest  deferonco  and  esteem,  your  excellency's  most 
humble  serv'. 

JoiiANNis  Jansen, 

To  his  Excellency  ^^'''"*-  ^°^- 

George  Clinton  I'lsq.  Governor. 


Letter  from  Gommor  Clinton  to  Colonel  Pawling. 

Dear  Sir :  Po'keepsie,  21"  SepP,  1780. 

Since  I  wrote  you  last,  I  have  received  several  letters 
from   Col.   Malcom  in   all  which  he  repeats  in   the 
strongest  terms,    the   necessity   of  your  taking    the 
eommand  of  the  troops  destined  to  relieve  the  present 
garrison  of  Fort  Schuyler.     I  proposed  to  him,  as  I 
mentioned  to  you,  ]\fajor  De  Witt  for  this  service,  but 
he  informs   me   that  this  would   occasion   new  and 
insurmountable  embarrassments,  on  the  score  of  rank. 
This  being  the  case,  I  must  tho'  reluctantly  consent 
to  your  taking  that  command. 
You  will  accordingly  on  the  receipt  of  this  letter, 


NORTH EKN  INVASION. 


78 


repair  with  the  leant  |>0H8ible  delay  to  Col.  A[alcom, 
pi'cpared  for  this  service,  leaving  your  present 
command  to  Major  De  Witt.  Malcom  on  your  arrival 
at  Schenectady,  will  order  a  company  as  a  reinforce- 
ment to  the  troops  on  the  frontiers  of  Ulster  and 
Orange  counties. 

I  am,  &c, 

G.  C. 
Lieut.  Col.  Pawling. 


ii 

n 


Letter  from  dil.  ./.  Ncirhirh- to  Gorcrnor  CVmton. 

Dear  Sir : 

In  consequence  of  your  Excellency's  orders  dated 
the  18th  September,  1  marched  immediately  in  person, 
Avith  two  companies,  to  where  the  road  crosses  the 
mountains  to  Neponeck,  and  beginning  there  ranged 
the  mountains  along  until  I  met  Major  Philips,  whom 
I  had  ordered  out  with  two  companies  to  range  the 
mountains  from  Minnisink  road  until  I  should  uieet 
with  him  about  midway  between  the  respective 
forementioned  roads.  We  made  all  possible  search, 
but  could  make  no  discovery  of  any  enemy.  It  is  my 
opinion,  and  the  opinion  of  the  most  sensible  in  these 
parts,  that  the  perpetratoi-s  of  the  bai-barity  at  Col. 
Johnston's  [.fanst^ii's]  were  tories. 

Your  Excellency  will  easily  perceive  the  propriety 
of  my  not  calling  out  the  whole  regiment,  when  I 
10 


If'  11 


74 


NOliTIIKIJX  INVASION. 


inform  you,  tl.at  Col.  JohnHton  Avas  returned  home 
with  his  whole  regS  after  having  searched  and  pursued 
tor  the  enemy  t.>  „..  ,,ur,...s(.,  l.elbre  I  rec'd  your 
K.veellency'H  order. 

►Sir,  r  have  the  honor  to  he,  your  Exeellencv'.s  most 
ohedt  &  y'-  humhle  ser'. 

ir  r,  Jacob  Newkirk 

Jfimorn;  Sept,  2-^,  1780.  ■^''^^"jviuk. 


fpii.i 


-■t 


Letter  from  Gorcnior  ('Jmto)>  to  Gcuntl  Wnshhujtoi, . 

Dear  Sir:  Scjf  V^m. 

I  am  favored  with  your  Ej^eelleney's  letter  of  the 
27'"  ult",  and  am  much  oldiged  hy  your  attention  to 
my  application  (through   Gen'  Schuyler)  in  ordering 
Col'.  iAfalcom's  corps  to  the  defence  of  tlao  frontieinT 
Every  measure  in  my  power  will  l>o  t;ikcn  to  expinlitc 
liis  march,  and  he  has  my  ortlers  to  relie\x>  the  garrison 
of  Fort  Schuyler  without  the  least  d(^ay,  by  tho  levies 
raised  for  the  defense  of  the  frontie»>*  last  s^,*mg,  whose 
times  of  service  will  not  expire  uwil  the  irst  Dec' n^-xt. 
It  will  take  some  considerable  thne,  however,  to  colkvt 
them,  as  they  are  posted  at  ^Klferent  and  remicvte  i-iuts 
of  the  frontiers.      But  T  wouki  fai?n  hcf.©   that   the 
discontents  of  the  present  garrison  will  swbside  when 
they  are  informed  tlvat  measures  are  taken  to  relieve 
them.     I  have  direcUnl  Col'  Malcolm  to  proceed  imme- 
diately to  Albany,  and  take  the  necessary  measures  for 


NORTH EUN  INVASION. 


I-) 


coUoctiiiij;  iiH  large  u  sup[ily  of  provisions  t'oi"  Kort 
St'lmylcr  as  (laii  be  spared,  for,  wliicli  purpose  he  has 
warrants  to  impress  that  he  may  avail  himself  of  an 
oseort  hy  the  troops  intended  to  garrison  that  post. 

I  shall  take  the  earliest  opportunity  of  communieatiiig 
to  the  legislature,  (who  are  requi^'ed  to  meet  at  this 
phioo  on  the  4"'  Tnst),  your  Kxcelleney's  letter  of  the 
•27"'  ult",  together  with  the  several  letters  from  the 
committee  of  congress  on  the  subject  of  supi»lies  for 
the  army.  In  the  mean  time  the  state  agent  will  have 
my  directions  to  make  every  exertion  in  his  Dower  for 
affording  them  immediate  relief.  I  take  the  liberty  of 
inclosing  (confidentially)  for  your  Exeell^'  perusal,  a 
copy  of  the  proceedings  of  a  convention  of  committees 
from  the  states  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  Connecticut  and 
Nt  V  Hampshire,  in  wliich  I  am  happy  to  find,  even  at 
this  late  hour,  sentiments  which  generally  adopted, 
cannot  fail  of  producing  much  good.'  1  believe  1  nniy 
venture  to  assure  you  sir,  that  as  the  most  sensible 
among   us   have   from  tlic   beginning  of  the   contest 


'Till'  j^Dvcrnor  here  ivt'i'is  to  ii  coiivciidoii  wliiih  iiift  in  IJostou 
Aug.  :',  1780,  "to  (inmiDic  the  most  vigorous  exertions  tor  tliciiirscnt 
campaign,  and  to  cultivate  a  good  imderstaiuling  and  procure  a 
generous  reception  tor  tlie  ofHcers  and  men  of  tlie  Frencli  arm}'  and 
fleet,"  tlien  lately  arrived  at  Newport.  Tlie  convention  chose  Thomas 
C'ushing  as  president,  and  continued  in  session  until  the  9th  of  August. 
Among  the  resolutions  which  they  adopted,  was  one  urging  a  more 
perfect  union  of  tlie  stales,  larger  iHiwers  to  congress,  and  the  choice 
of  a  supreme  head  to  the  national  ali'airs.  It  may  be  regarded  as  one 
of  the  earliest  movements  towaids  the  establislnuent  of  the  Federal 
government,  if  luit  llie  pioneer  of  this  idea,  which  was  not  carried 
into  ell'ect  until  luarlv  nine  vears  afUrwards. 


76 


NUUTIIKKN  INVASION. 


foiXMeeu   the  .•„„ho.,uc.,k.oh   .,f  tcnporary  ox,K..ru.ntH, 
they  w.ll  na-ot  the  choerful  approbation  of  this  Htuto. 
I  hiivi'  tlio  Iioiior  to  ho,  &c. 

iriHKxc-olle.u^-,(j,M'WaHlnn;,ton.  ^'- ^'"^^"^- 


■'  if 


'     ! 


'  •  I 


! 


( 


/..««•./•/•..,    (/aural   liuhcrl    Vai,   Unmclan- (o   Gom-nur 

(J  (in  lot  I. 

Dour  Gov :  ^''""^  Kknssulaku,'  .S',y.r  4,  '80. 

The  reports  of  tlio  enemy's  intentions  are  still 
vagne  and  nneortain.  S,nne  say,  Sir  Jolui  is  connni? 
I'y  wayof  Lake  ('han.],lain;  Brunt  and  Bntler  from 
tlie  westward.  Sn.all  parties  are  freqnently  seen  upon 
the  frontiers.  Last  Tlxursday,  tliey  attacked  tlie  Jiouse 
•f  one  Shell,  al,ont  three  ,niles  nortli  of  Fort  ITerkin.er 
I'Ih'  house  was  hravely  defendcMl  by  the  man,  his  tw.', 
son^d  wiie.     He  supposed  they  killed  or  wounded 

■Mr  .1.  R.  Simms  of  F.„t  Plain,  wh„  is  n.nmrl<Mblv  well  infbnn...l 

V.  l.;.,o  of  Can.Jol.ari,.,  nn.l  tl.at  .bis  nanK-  was  n.vo   ap  ,E  ,  ,,"  f„ 

nun,  ,..a.  sto.Kl  on  .ho  ..ills  i.aifa  nul.  abov.  ,b..  .no     n        ^  '  " 

MS  „an.e.     Tins  place  l.as  somotinn-s  been  ..allc.l  Fo.,  P,,  ^  , 

s  na„.c  .uorc  propo,-ly  appii.l   ,„  anot.u.,-  stockade  a,     „,    a 

1  V  .ll.nn-  owned  by  a  Ifonse  family,  nearly  fonr  miles  from  F  ., 


NOKTllKUN  INVASION. 

fit'tc'iii  (II'  p>iA  en  of  tlio  oiiomy.  'I'lioy  Itf't  oiio  kill'  1 
uiid  OIK!  wonii<l«'(I  ni)  tlio  gromul.  Tlio  |)nsoiior  miya, 
tho  part  I'  thii'ty-Hix   Hriliuli  troops,  and 

thirty  Imliiiaa,  ('apt"  A  lion  of  tho  levies,  wont  the 
next  (lay  in  piiisiiit  of  them,  with  forty  men  who  wora 
not  returned  yeHtorday  oven*.  On  Saturday  lamt,  f 
pient  ott' twelve  hoats  with  provisions  for  Fort  Schuyler, 
escorted  by  two  hundred  nu'ii,  under  the  coniniaiid  of 
Coll.  IJrowu  of  the  Massachusetts  levies,  which  leaves 
the  frontier  very  thin  of  men.  I  have  also  sent  out  a 
scout  to  r  hi  ami  (>  ([Uuixo,' at  wliich  place  I  am 

suspicious  tiu'v  make  tin  ir  rendesvous. 

I  am  anxious  to  hear  from  you    quarters,  and  sliall 
esteem  it  a  pai-ticiilar  favor  to  hear  from  you. 

I  am.  Dear  Uov'  your  most  Ohed'  and  llndj'  Serv' 

Ron'  V"  Kensselakk. 


Lrllcr /rum  Cot,  L'allirsun  tutd  utkci's  lu  O'uccrnor  Cdidvii. 

To  his  Hxcellcucy,  George  Clinton,  Eaqr. 

We  having  received  infornuitions  of  an  alarming 
nature,  some  of  which  we  have  sent  your  Excellency 
in  writing,  and  for  a  more  particular  account  we  refer 
your  Excellency  to  the  hearer  hereof,  as  we  are 
destitute  of  authority  we  humbly  conceive  that  the 
appointment  of  a  committee  if  they  are  invested  with 


'Now  Wiusor,  Brooiuu  toiinly,  N.  Y. 


1    I  ,,rfl»^~■•. 


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Sdences 
Corooration 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)872-4503 


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78 


NORTllEKN  INVASION. 


some  clogrec  of  uutl.onty  might  be  of  great  service 
for  detecting  such  iuhabitaats  amongst  us  as  we  have 
reason  to  suppose  are  conspiri.ig  against  us  with  our 
enemies  who  secretly  hu-k  an.ongst  us,  and  we  further 
beg  leave  to  suggest  to  your  Excellency  whether  some- 
thing by  way  of  scouts  will  not  be  the  best  to  be  done 
The   bearer    hereof   will  inform    your  Excellency 
what  measures  we  have  taken,  and  by  him  we  hope 
to  receive   from  your  Excellency  such  directions  as 
your  Excellency's  wisdom  shall  direct. 

We  are  Dear  Sir,  Your  Excellency's  loyal  subjects, 

Eleazer  Patterson^  Col"-  i 
Jonathan  Church,      John  Sargent,  U.  Col 
Aaron  Nash,  Timothy  Church,  Capt' 

Artimas  How,  ^ETH  Smith, 

Henry  Seoer,  Sam^  Warriner, 

Lkonahi.  Hexdrick,     Ben.t.  Butterfield,  Lt., 
William  Hark  is. 


Brattle- 
boroiigli 
Septem- 
ber 
11th, 
1780. 


Letter  fro,a  Gorcrnor  Clinton  to  Person,  hi  Qmherhnd 

Conntij. 


Gen': 


PouGJiKKEPsiE,  16**  September,  1780. 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  10'"  Inst.,  requestin«- 
the  appointment  of  Com"  for  the  purpose  of  discoverin" 

■ — . . O 

■Col.  Patterson  resided  at  Hinsdale,  now  Vernon  Vt     He  l.,.l,l 
lor  >us  Hostility  to  the  new  government  of  Vermont. 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


79 


and  defeating  the  secret  designs  of  the  enemy  in  your 

county.    Before  this  can  be  done,  there  must  be  a  strict 

law  passed,  authorizing  it,  as  the  number  of  Com" 

directed  by  our  present  law  is  already  complete,  and 

as  this  will  take  some  time,  I  have  thought  it  most 

advisable  not  to  detain  Mr.  Smith,  as  I  shall  have  an 

opportunity   of  forwarding  the   commission   by  Mr. 

Knowlton  on  his  return  from  Philadelphia,  or  by  some 

earlier  safe  conveyance. 

I  would  beg  leave  to  observe,  that  as  the  powers  to 

be  granted  to  the  comi-"  will  be  extensive,  it  will  be 

their  duty  to  be  particularly  prudent  and  careful  in 

piitthig  them   into    execution,   and   as  congress  has 

recommended  to  this  state,  not  to  exert  any  authority 

over  the  inhabitants  of  the  tract  of  land  commonly 

called  the  ISTew  Hampshire  Grants,  and  who  do  not 

acknowledge    the   authority   of  this   state,   until   the 

controversy  relative  to  the  same  is  settled,  I  have  to 

request  that  these  com"  when  appointed,  do  not  by  any 

act  contravene  the  above  resolution. 

I  am,  &c., 

G.  C. 


Letter  from.  Col.  G.    Van  Schakk  to  Gorcrnor  Clinton. 

Albany,  Sept.  12,  1780. 
Sir:    His    Excellency    General    Washington,    has 
directed  me  to  march  my  regiment  to  the  grand  army 


80 


NORTIIERISr  INVASION. 


immediately     after    they    are     relieved    from    Fort 
Schuy/er.     Tiic  want  of  clovjiiiig  amongst  the  men  is 
snch,  that  it  requires  my  utmost  exertion  to  procure 
them,  although  out  of  the  line  of  my  duty.     I  should 
not  give  your    Excellency    any    trouble    about  this 
matter  was  it  not  that  the  men  are  in  a  manner  naked, 
and  that  I  apprehend,  on  their  arrival  at  Schenectady, 
great  desertions  will  take  place,  if  we  have  nothing  to 
give  them.     There  are  a  small  quantity  of  shirts  and 
linuen  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  John  N.  i31eecker,  one  of 
the  gentlemen  directed  by  a  late  law  to  collect  clothing 
for  the  Continental  battalions  of  this  State :  and  Mr. 
Bleecker  informs  me,  there  is  some  more  expected. 
I  must  intreat  the  favor  of  your  Excellency,  to  furnish 
the   bearer   Lieut.   Abraham '  Ten  Eyck,  paymaster, 
with  an  order  on  Mr,  Bleecker,  to  deliver  all  the  shirts 
and  linnen,  he  may  have  in  his  hands,  provided  it 
does  not  exceed  one  shirt  and  a  pair  of  overhalls  per 
man.     As  the  regiment  has  not  yet  r  jeived  a../  kind 
of  clothing,  since   the   first  of  December  last,   it  is 
easily  judged  the  condition  they  must  be  in.     Should 
your    Excellency    disapprove    of    the    measure,    my 
attachment  and  zeal  for  the  service,  and  in  order  as 
much  as  in  me  lays  to  prevent  mutinys  and  desertions, 
will  I  flatter  myself  sutHciently  apologize  for  troubling 
your  Excellency  on  this  subject. 

I  am,  &c., 

G.  Van  Sciiaiok. 


NOUTIIKUN"  INVASION. 


81 


Lettd'  from  Governor  Clinhn  to  Colonel  G.  Van  Sehaick. 

14'"  Sept'.,  1780. 
Sir: 

Agreeable  to  yoiiv  request,  I  have  enclosed  an  order 

for  the  clothing  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Bleecker  for  the 

use  of  your  regiment,  not  to  exceed  one  shirt  and  one 

ovei'all  p""  man.     This  your  paymaster  is  to  receipt  for, 

and  you  will  please  to  forward  a  duplicate  receipt, 

which  I  have  occasion  for  as  a  voucher. 

I  am,  &c.  G.  C. 


From  Eirinqton's  Jio>/al  Gazette,  Sept.  23,  1780. 

"FOiiT  STANWIX. 
"By  a  person  of  good  reputation  and  perfectly 
intelligent,  just  arrived  from  the  northward,  we  are 
info  med  that  about  a  fortnight  ago.  Fort  Stanwix, 
after  having  been  five  or  six  weeks  closely  invested, 
was  taken  by  six  hundred  British  troops,  commanded 
by  a  lieutenant  colonel,  supposed  to  be  the  king's  or 
Vni  Regiment.  Our  faithful  friend  Captain  Joseph 
Brant,  with  a  party  of  Indians,  shared  in  the  glory  of  this 
conquest,  which  was  fixcilitated  by  STARVATION,  {a 
phrase  ice  adopt  from  our  old  acquaintance  andfelloio  citizen, 
William  Licinqston,  Esquire,  now  of  New  Jersey).  The 
Indians  have  laid  waste  the  whole  country,  the  tory 
houses  excepted,  down  tc  Schenectad}^,  where  some 
rebels  are  at  work  throwing  up  works  to  oppose  the 
11 


II!  f 


Hll 


82 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


progress  of  the  Britisli  troops,  and  our  Indian  allies. 
The  rchel  women  and  children  have  retired  to  Albany, 
where,  from  a  consciousness  of  their  unprovoked  per- 
secutions and  murders,  terror  and  jeopardy  prevail, 
even  to  distraction.  The  seditious  seminarv,'  under 
the  direction  of  iuissionary  Wheelock,  of  attrocions 
name,  we  are  informed,  has  lately  been  completely 
expurgated  by  a  long  merited  conflagration." 


ill 


Letter  from.  Govamor  Clinton  to  General  Sehm/lcr. 
Bear  Sir-  T'ouoiikeepsie,  Oct.  3d,  1780. 

I  wrote  you  last  night,  in  answer  to  yours  of  the  :27th 
ultimo,  by  my  brother,  who  is  on  his  way  to  Albany 
to  take  the  command  in   that  quarter.     I  am  since 
favored  with  your  two  letters  of  the  31st  of  last  month 
and  the  1st  instant.     If  my  health  permitted,  I  would 
immediately  set  out  for  Albany,  but  I  am  so  affected 
mth  the  rheumatism  occasioned  by  my  last  jaunt  and 
the  present  damp  weather,  that  I  dare  not  undertake 
the  journey.     I  have  communicated  to  my  brother  the 
intelligence  transmitted   me  from  your  qii     ter,    and 
have  directed  him  to  call  on  Gen"  Ten  Broeck  and 
Van    Rensselaer    for   a  sufficient    force    from    their 
brigades  to  cover  the  settlements,  agst  the  incursions 
of  the  enemy  and  repel  them ;   and  I  have  wrote  to 

'  At  Hanover,  N.  II.    The  greater  part  of  tbis  article  Is  fictitious. 


NOUTllEUN  INVASION. 


83 


thoHG  geiitlemeu  to  comjily  with  liis  roqiiisitioiis, 
AVhat  we  shall  do  for  provisions  (tho  the  country 
ahounds  with  it),  God  only  knows.  The  assessments 
come  on  so  slowly  notwithstanding  eveiy  endeavor  to 
hasten  them,  that  no  certain  dependance  can  be  placed 
upon  them.  The  cattle  when  received,  are  scarcely 
worth  killing.  The  mills  for  want  of  water,  unable  to 
grind  the  wheat.  I  have  this  moment  received  a  very 
pressing  letter  from  Gen'  Iloath  who  commands  in 
the  Highlands  on  this  subject  of  his  wants,  by  which 
I  am  informed  that  his  only  dependance  for  bread  is 
on  this  state.  It  is  not  in  my  power  to  relieve  him. 
Your  letter  fully  confirms  me  on  what  I  had  some 
reason  to  suspect,  on  the  first  incursion  of  the  enemy, 
respecting  the  conduct  of  Allen.  I  wish  this  matter 
may  be  fully  investigated  and  I  beg  that  it  may 
continue  to  engage  your  attention.  Your  letter  to  tho 
commander-in-chief,  shall  be  immediately  forwarded. 
If  the  present  alarm  is  as  imminent  as  is  to  bo  appre- 
hended I  will  see  you  soon  if  my  health  will  enable  me. 

I  am,  &c.,  G.  C. 

Gen'  Schuyler. 


Letter  from.  Citizens  of  Tri/on  Count  ij  to  Goemior  CUnton. 

Johnstown,  Odob''  3",  1780. 
Hon-*  Sir : 

We    are    unhappily   situated    in    this   county,    by 
keeping  so  many  uisatfected  families  amongst  us,  and 


84 


NOllTIIEUN  INVASION. 


it  is  With  regret  Me  intbnu  yonv  Excellency,  tl.at  the 
act  provided  for  sending  them  off,  uppears  to  ub  verv 
deficient. 

Many  of  the.se  diHaftectcd  families  are  not  uhlo  to 
transport  themselves  ten  miles,  (and  yet  as  capable  of 
<lon>g  m  hurt  as  the  richer  kind).  Others  are  able  to 
defray  the  expenses  of  themselves  and  something  to 
spare.  We  should  be  glad  to  divide  what  they  have 
amongst  them,  so  as  to  carry  the  whole  off,  but  in 
doing  of  this,  we  must  act  without  law. 

We  would  therefore  pray  your  Excellency,  to  give 
us  your  advice  by  Lieut.  Bradnor,  if  there  is  no 
prospect  of  an  amendment  being  made  to  the  act 
soon. 

The  necessity  of  their  being  sent  off  immediately  is 
notorious,  as  we  are  fully  convinced  they  harbor  and 
give  intelligence  to  the  enemy  daily.  We  have  also 
a  number  of  men,  who  we  believe  do  infinitely  more 
damage  than  the  women.  Some  of  them  have  applied 
to  go  off.  ^V\.  .should  be  very  glad  to  know  whether 
we  are  to  provide  a  fiagg  to  send  them  off,  or  where 
we  are  to  apply  for  one. 

With  Respect  your  Excellency's 
Most  Obed'  Humble  servt. 

Teter  S.  Deygekt,' 

Gov  Chnton.  ^''"'  ^^'''''^^^^^- 


•  Appointed  major  Mareli  4, 1780. 


NOliTIIKKN  INVASION. 


80 


Petition,  from  Citizens  of  Ih/on  Count  1/, 

Thyon  County,  Gth  October,  1780. 
The  Petition  of   the  Inhahitants  of    Tryoii    Comity, 
Iliimhly  Sheweth, 

That  your  Petitioners  have  durinij  thiw  eampaia^n, 
hibored  under  the  most  dreadful  difficultieH ;  that 
neveral  of  their  principal  settlements,  viz  :  Comiwaga, ' 
[and]  Conajohary,  liave  been  entirely  destroyed, 
whereby  a  great  number  of  families  were  forced  to 
leave  the  country,  in  order  to  seek  refuge  in  some 
other  part,  more  remote  from  our  cruel  savajc 
enemies :  that  still  the  greater  number,  trusting  in 
the  Providence  of  God,  a:id  the  protection  of  their 
country,  did  rather  choose  to  stay  in  defence  of  their 
property,  rights  and  liberties,  than  to  give  way  to 
thoughts  unbecoming  a  people  that  is  determined  to 
be  free,  and  would  rather  share  the  good  will  and 
danger  of  their  fellow  brethren,  in  the  country,  than 
to  be  a  burden  upon  the  public. 

That  it  most  seasonably  happened  by  your  Excel- 
lency's paternal  care,  which  they  have  so  often 
experienced,  that  troops  have  been  sent  up  to  their 
assistance,  time  enough  to  enable  and  protect  them  to 
gather  their  grain,  whereof  a  vast  quantity  stands  now 
dispersed  all  over  the  several  settlements  of  their 
country,   staulked  up  in  their  fields   and   round   the 


'  Caughnawaga,  now  Fonda,  Montgomery  county. 


86 


JJOKTIIFnjN  I.JVASION. 


^■i 


''"»--"t  ^o-'K     That  thin  h«pi,ycircun.Htunccs  an.,  tl.o 
P'-poct   that  the   HufforerH    could  find    shelter    and 
-f".-  with    those  who   enjo,   their  houHe.,  whereof 
t  .ore  ,H  a  considerable  n.nnber.  have  been  the  support 
of  the.r  hopes  and  porneveranee.     B„t  that  their  iinu 
rosoh.tu,n  is  ,uitc  shaken,  when  they  tind  that   the 
tnne  of  the  troops  whieh  were  sent  to  their  protection 
•H  ulniost  expired,  at  a  tin.e  whez.  the  enen.y  in  the 
verge  of   their  settlen.ents,    has  in  the  sight  of  a 
".unberof  thebeat  troops,  and  nu.t  vigihu.t  officers, 

burndkdl'd  and  taken  prisoners,  of  which  almost 
every  day  brings  a  new  instance,  that  your  petitioners 
W.ntelgenee    that    this  is  the   si.th    day    since 
Brandt  iuul  left  Magara,  with, a  large  body  of  n.en 
-th   an   „.tent  to   invade   our    country,    that    your' 
petitioners  presume   if  that  should   be  the   case    as 
thoy  have   the  greatest  reason   to  believe  it  wili  be 
-ue  time  this  fUll,  then  it  would  be  in  the  power 
of  the   enemy  to  destroy  almost  all   the  grain   col- 
lected, besides  the  rest  of  the  settlements  yet  standing 
If  seasonable   and   effective   measures  is    not   imme- 
diately adopted  to    prevent  it.     Your  petitioners  are 
therefore  under  the  n.ost  dreadful  apprehensions,  and 
presume   to    lay   their  case   once   more   before  your 
Kxcellency,     appealing    to    your    known    humanity 
-■avn.gyour  Excellency's  kind  interposition  with  tit 
Legislature,   and  the   commander  in   chief,    to  have 
such  relief  granted  as  our  case  recpiires,  and  you  in 
your  wisdom  shall  see  meet. 


NORTIIEKN  INVASION. 


8/ 


Your  ExcellencyH  huniblo  J'ctitioi'orB,  as  in    duty 
bound  hIiuH  over  pray. 

Signed  in  l)C'lialt'  of  tlio  InlmbitantH  of  Tryon  County. 
Jac'ou  I.  Ki.ot'K,  Col.'  John  Kaski.man, 

J.  Daniel  Guos,  Minister,'  John  T.  Backus, 


Jellis  Fonda, 
Adam  Condekman, 
Adam  Levi-, 
Nicholas  Coppernoll, 

tall 
DOMMAS   X  (JooUMAN, 
mark 


Samuel  Vanettia,  Left. 
John  Snell, 
IIexrich  Laiuh, 
William  Lairs, 
John  Zielley, 
Adam  Cinoe,  (?) 

bin 

(lEoiKiE  X  Kklman,  Sen'. 

mark 
PlETER  S.  J)eY<1ERT. 


Sir: 


Letter  from  Gocernor  Clinton  to  Colonel  Klocl; 

Kingston,  l\th  Ocfobcr,  1780. 


I  have  tliis  moment  received  a  petition  dated  8tli 
instant,  subscribed  by  yourself  and  other  iidiabitants 
of  Tryon  county,  in  answer  to  which  I  am  happy  in 


'Colonel  of  the  Piilatinc  district  regiment  of  state  militin. 

'■'  Tlie  Rev.  Jolmn  Daniel  Gros,  was  a  German  emigrant  who  came 
to  America  shortly  before  the  revolution,  was  naturalized  by  the 
general  assembly,  >Iarch  8,  1773,  and  settled  at  Canajoharie.  At 
this  period  he  was  holding  a  commission  as  eliaplain  to  the  levies 
raised  for  the  defence  of  the  frontiers.  The  date  of  his  appointment 
was  June  1(5,  1780.  After  the  war,  he  removed  to  New  York,  and 
was  settled  as  pastor  of  a  German  Reformed  Cliurch.    For  several 


88 


NOHTIIh'HV  INVASrOV. 


being  nblo  to  inform  you  tluvt  LogiHiutivo  proviHion  !« 
made  for  cHlliMg  out  u  part  of  Uio  niilitiu  for  a  certain 
period  for  the  furtlier  defcnHe  of  tlie  Frontiers,  and 
orders  are  accordingly  insned  for  tliin  purpcmo  wliici,  I 
tniMt  will  roach  you  heforc  this  can,  i,h  (hoy  were 
forwarded  houw  days  since. 

The  BeiiHO  of  the  ineniberH  reprcnonting  the  frontier 
counticH,  was  taken,  as  to  the  nunihor  of  men  noccssury 
for  this  service,  and  1  trust  tlierefore,  that  this  force 
ordered  to  l,e  raised,  will  prove  competent.  The 
^M-eatest  fear  is,  tliat  it  may  not  ho  brought  into  the 
field  as  early  as  exigencies  may  require.  In  this  case, 
T  must  entreat  the  best  exertions  of  the  militia  of  Tryon' 
county,  imtil  they  can  l)o  enn^lled  and  forwarded  for 
their  relief.  He  asssured  that  every  effort  shall  ho 
nuide  on  my  part  for  your  protection. 

CohKlock.  ''^"^'*^-'        ^•^• 

Coll .... ,   II..  ,1,,.,,  at  f .„„„j„l,ari..  May  1.^,  IHl^,  ,,,..,1  s..v,.„.y.flve  yours 
1h..  lut..  (.„v..m...-  J).. Witt  Clint,,,,  i„  a„  a.l.lr..,s.s  Mhvml  Llhw 

""■  " """'  C..l.ii,.l,ia  C.,1!..^...,  thus  all„.l(.stoMr.  Orns.  "II,.],a,i 

oini^rrat...!  to  this  ,„u„try  I-othre  tho  rcvolnti...,,  a„,l  sotlle,!  m;n  tl„. 
banks  of  the  Mohawk,  in  a  Imntio,-  .ountiy,  i„.,„lia,ly  ...xnos..,!  to 
irruptions  Iron,  Canada  an.l  th..  liostil,.  Indians.     Wh..,,  war  ..on, 
nicn,.,.,l,  1„.  took  the  side  of  An.<.,.,(.a,  and,  enthroned  in  thcl,..arfs  of 
Ills  .■ount.yn,,.,,,  and  distinguished  for  the  conrage  wliieh  marks  the 
(Je,-nian  charael..r,  1...  rallied  the  .h'sponding,  animated  tl„.  wavering 
eontii-n.ed  the  douhtfiil  an.l  enrou,.ag..(l   the  hrave  to  more  th',,, 
or<linary  exertion.     With  th..  Bible  in  one  hand  a„,l  the  sword  i„  the 
oth..r,  he  st..od  forth  in  the  nnit.'d  .-haracter  of  patriot  and  Chi-istian 
vmdi.ating  the  liberties  .,f  tnankind,  and  amidst  the  n,.jst  appalling 
dang..,-s,  and  the  niost  awful  vh^issitudes,  like  the  I{ed  Cross  knight 
of  the  Faiiy  Queen,  '  Right  faitliful  true  he  was,  in  deed  and  wonl ' " 


NOHTIIKUX  INVASION. 


80 


Letter  from  Htciihoi  fjiish  to  Ijorvrmr  Clinloii. 


Albany,  Octo'tr  12, 1780. 
Donr  Sir: 

1  this  momont  arrived,  and  am  now  at  Col" 
Malcom's  Quartern.  Major  HuglieH,  in  ii  letter  to 
liim  of  the  10th,  which  I  Imve  now  before  nie,  says, 
that  an  Indian  deserter  tlien  just  arrived,  brings 
intelligence,  that  a  large  body  of  Jiritinh  and  Indians, 
under  vSir  Joh'i.  Butler,  and  Urant,  were  the  night  of 
the  8th  Inst,  at  Oneida,  from  Niagara,  on  their  v. ly 
to  Stone  Arabia,  and  ultimately  for  Fort  Schuyler: 
that  they  were  furnished  with  mortars  and  cannon,  and 
a  large  number  of  shells,  (one  of  which  the  Indian 
brought  in  his  blanket).  Major  Hughes  says,  every 
preparation  is  making  to  receive  them. 

The  enemy  have  also  appeared  to  the  northward. 
Col°  Livingston  in  another  letter  to  Col"  Malcom, 
(also  before  me),  dated  yesterday,  5  o'clock  a.  ai.  says, 
he  had  that  nxomcnt  rec''  a  particular  account  of  the 
taking  of  Fort  Ann,  that  Cap'  Sherwood  command* 
there,  was  summoned  by  Major  Carleton  of  the 
enemy:  he  refused,  but  upon  their  parading  their 
forces,  amounting  to  850  British,  Indians  and  Tories, 
in  view  of  the  garrison,  they  surrendered  prisoners  of 
war. 

Col"  Livingston  writes,  that  his  intelligence  is,  that 

Carleton  with  his  party  are  now  at  Fort  George,  and 
12 


'J3 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


are  to  be  Joined  by  a  narty  from  Ballstown  under 
command  of  Sir  John:  and  that  he  means  if  he  can, 
with  safety  to  his  post,  marcli  to  the  reUef  of  Port 
George. 

Thus  stands  the  ace'  from  our  nortliern  and  western 
frontiers.  Col"  Malcom  has  transmitted  tliem  by  an 
express  to  Pokeepsie  this  morning,  but  upon  my 
informing  him  that  your  Excellency  was  probably  at 
Kingston,  he  is  gone  tor  another  express,  and  has 
desired  me  to  write  your  Excellency  the  above  acc'ts, 
so  as  to  have  them  in  readiness  to  be  dispatched  as 
soon  as  the  express  can  be  obtained. 

This  brigade  Js  ordered  to  march  immediately,  and 
are  now  preparing  to  be  disposed  of  as  Col"  Malcom, 
and  Gen'  Ten  Broeck  shall  think  best,  for  the  defence 
of  the  frontiers.  Col.  Malcom  has  made  a  request 
to  Gen'  V"  Rensselaer  for  800  men,  and  intreats  your 
Excellency,  if  possible,  to  have  the  -nen  hastened  on 
by  your  E::cellency's  orders. 

The  scarsity  of  provisions,'  and  the  total  uncertainty 
of  obtaining  supplies,  is  truly  alarming.  If  any  means 
can  bo  fallen  upon,  to  supply  the  troops  now  ordered 


'By  an  act  passed  Sept.  21, 1T80,  the  following  quotas  of  fat  cattle 
were  assigned  to  the  several  rounties:  Albf  ly,  ;!0();  Dutchess,  475 ; 
Ulster,  loO;  Orange,  150;  and  Westchester  50.  By  the  same  act,  it 
was  ordered  tliai  3,(300  barrels  of  flour  should  be  assessed,  viz:  from 
Albany  8,000,  Dutchess  1,000,  Ulster  000,  Oratige  aoo,  Tryon  (iOO, 
and  Charlotte  100.  These  quotas  were  to  l)e  distributed  among  the 
towns,  and  tlu;  wliole  were  to  \k  delivered  before  the  1st  of  January 
1781.  Of  course  no  benefit  was  derived  from  this  law  in  the  present 
crisis. 


•'.■■S. 


NOIITIIERN  INVASION. 


91 


out,  and  those  alroauy  on  tlie  frontiers,  Col"  Alalcom 
requests  your  Excellency's  interposition,  as  without 
supplies,  the  militia  must  disband,  as  soon  as  they  take 
tlic  field.  And  if  any  reinforcements  of  men  can  be 
obtained,  from  any  other  quarter  than  those  already 
mentioned,  Col°  Malcom  conceives  they  will  be 
wanted,  provided  they  come  with  sufficient  supplies 
of  provisions. 

Col*  Livingston,  in  a  letter  to-«iay,  says  he  is  sur- 
rounded by  the  Indians  and  tories,  who  have  hovered  in 
notice  of  the  foi-t  for  the  last  twelve  hours :  that  they 
had  not  yet  ventured  an  attack :  that  he  had  sent  out  a 
party  of  20  men  who  were  obliged  to  return,  the 
enemy  proving  too  numerous :  that  they  were  burning 
ab"-  7  miles  from  the  fort :  that  they  had  only  60  men 
fit  for  duty,  and  the  enemy  supposed  400. 

I  am,  with  the  highest  respect  and  esteem. 
Your  Excellency's  Most  Obed'  Serv' 

SiKPiiEN  Lush.' 
His  Excellency  Gov'  Clinton. 


The  foregoing  is  a  tolerable  exact  state  of  things. 
I  have  sent  a  letter  to  Col.  Klock,  requesting  him  to 
turn  out  the  Tryon  county  brigade.  It  is  necessary 
that  we  be  able  to  advance  with  1,000  men,  the  posts 


'Mr.  Lush  lind  previously  l^n  a  prisoner  with  tluj  enemy,  nnd 
afterward  was  private  secretary  to  Governor  Clinton.  He  died  at 
No.  311  North  Market  street  (now  Broadway)  All)any,  April  15, 1825, 
i.gcd  seventy-two  years. 


92 


NOUTIIEKN  INVASION. 


at  the  81111.0  time  guarded.  (Jen'  Van  Roi.Hsolacr  is 
my  only  dopendaiice.  Will  you  come  up?  It  is 
necessary.  It  is  yet  imposHiblc  for  me  to  know  whether 
to  go  north  or  west.  Frooishns.  If  possible,  send 
sonie  from  Esopus,  &e.  and  do  urge  Gen'  Rensselaer  to 
send  some  on.  Come  up.  Gen.  Ten  Broeck's 
brigade  is  disposed  of,  some  to  Schoharie  to  Fort 
^- &  some  to  E -. 


Articles  of  OiplMaflon  between  Major  Oirleton,  com- 
mamlhig  a  detachment  of  the^  Khurs  troops,  and  Cupt. 
Chipinan,  commandinc/  at  Fort  George. 

Article  VK  The  troops  of  the  garrison  to  surrender 
themselves  prisoners  of  war. 

Article  2".  That  the  women  and  children  be  per- 
mitted to  return  to  their  homes,  with  two  waggons 
and  their  baggage. 

Article  Z\  Each  officer  shall  be  allowed  their  servants. 
Article  4«>.  Xo  Indian  to  enter  the  fort,  until  a  British 
detachment  takes  possession  of  the  fort. 

Article  5'^  Major  Carleton  passes  his  honor  that  no 
levies  in  the  fort  shall  be  lost,  nor  any  person  be 
molested. 

Article  6'".  Each  soldier  to  carry  his  knapsack. 
Article  7^\  Ensign    Barrett  shall   be  permitted  to 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


93 


return  lioinc  with  bis  family  and  the  regimental  books, 
on  giving  hi^^  parole  to  Major  Carleton. 

John  Cihi'Man,  Cap'  Com*  2''  Battalion. 

James  Kihkman,  Lt.  29th  Reg'. 

Wm.  Johnston,  Lt.  47tb  Reg'. 

Cii"  Carlton,  Major  29tb  Reg'.,  &c.,  &c.,  &c. 


Letter  from   Col.   \V.  Malcom  to  Gen.   Van  Rensselaer. 


Sir: 


Albany,  Ccf  13'",  1780. 


A  very  considerable  body  of  the  enemy  appeared  on 
Tuesday  at  Fort  Ann,  which  was  instantly  given  up  by 
Cap'  Sherwood.  They  came  on  to  the  river  and  burnt  a 
number  of  houses  about  Fort  Edward.  Yesterday  they 
returned  towards  Lake  George.  Gen'  Ten  Brocck's 
Militia  above  Albany  are  ordered  to  Fort  Edward. 

This  morn*^  I  have  an  express  from  Fort  Schuyler, 
informing  that  Sir  John,  Butler  and  Brandt,  with  a 
very  large  body  were  at  Oneida,  that  they  had  cannon, 
mortars  and  shells  with  them.  An  Ind"  deserted  and 
went  into  the  fort  with  this  notice,  and  carried  a  five 
inch  shell  with  him  as  an  evidence.  I  have  consulted 
with  Gen'  Ten  Broeck,  and  he  joins  in  opinion  with 
me,  that  it  is  proper  to  have  assistance  from  you,  of  at 
least  800  men.  I  beg  therefore  that  you  will  be 
pleased  to  give  your  orders  accordingly.     L^'nless  we 


94 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


have  roinforceinents  immediately,  no  doubt  but  Fort 
Schuyler  and  all  that  remains  of  the  fine  country  on  the 
Mohawk  river,    particularly    8tone    Arabia,  \vnll   be 
destroyed.     It  is  al.o  necessary  that  cattle  and  flour 
come  forward,  nou  only  for  your  subsistence  but  for  the 
troops  already  here.     It  is  a  fact  that  we  have  no  beef, 
nor  is  there  either  wheat  or  flour  collected,  notwith- 
standing my  constant  and  most  pressing  solicitations. 
I  am   persuaded  that  you  will  see  the  propricV  of 
marching  the  troops  forward   instantly.     You  know 
little  is  to  be  depended  on  in  this  quarter,  and  the 
levies  are  necessarily  scattered,  so  that  it  is  impossible 
to  collect  any  body  of  theni   without  leaving  some 
valuable  part  of  the  country  exposed. 
^  I  have  wrote  to  the  Gov^  this  morning,  but  at  that 
time  did  not  imagine  the  enemy  were  so  formidable. 
Yours  very  Respectfully, 

To  Gen..  Van  Kensselaer.       '''  '''^""^''  ^''"^  ^^"^^^ ' 


Letter  from   Gen.    Van  Rensselaer  to  Governor  Clinton. 

Dear  Gov-  Claverack,  Od- 18M780. 

Inclosed  I  send  you  a  copy  of  a  letter  fi-om  Coll" 
Malcomb,  in  consequence  of  wliieh  [I]  have  ordered 
tlie  whole  brigade  to  march  with  the  greatest  dispatch, 
and  intend  to  set  oft"  from  this  to-morrow  morning.' 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


95 


(T)   have   requested   the   agent  of  this   state   in   this 

quarter,  to  forward  on  all  the  cattle  and  flour  they  can 

collect. 

I  am  Dear  Gov-'  your  Most  dev'  Servt, 

Rob''  V  Rensselaer. 


Reph/  of  Goirmor    Clinton  to  General  Van  Rensselaer. 

October  14'\  1780. 
Dear  Sir : 

I  have  this  moment  received  your  letter  of  yester- 
day, and  perfectly  approve  your  ordering  out  your 
whole  brigade.  My  orders  of  yesterday  were  for  800, 
but  those  of  this  morning  were  for  your  whole  brigade. 
I  must  beg  you  to  hasten  them  on  with  all  possible 
speed,  and  take  with  them  all  the  provisions  that  can 
be  collected.  I  expect  to  set  out  for  Albany  to-morrow 
morning,  if  not  this  evening. 


Brig.  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer. 


Yours,  &c.,        G.  C. 


Attack  upon  For*s  Ann  and  Geore/e. 

From  Holt'g  Puughkeepnie  Journal,  dated  October  16, 1780,  quoted  ia 
Almoii's  Remembi-aneer,  vi,  82. 

"  We  heav  from  the  northward,  that  a  considerable 
body  of  British  Troops,    Indians  and  Tories  from 


96 


NORTIIEKN  INVASION. 


Canada,  by  the  way  of  Lake  Champlain,  have  taken 
our  posts  at  Fort  George  and  Fort  Ann,  with  the 
small  garrison;  and  that  the  enemy  are  still  in  that 
quarter,  burning  and  ravaging  the  country,  in  the 
neighborliood  of  Fort  Edward.  The  Inhabitants  of 
Tryon  County,  are  also  alarmed  by  intelligence,  that  a 
considorablo  party,  under  Butler  and  Brandt,  are 
expected  that  wa  v.  When  the  last  accounts  came  off, 
the  militia  were  assembling  to  ojipose  them." 


Letter  from.  Gorcmcr  Clinton  to  Gmcral  Greene. 

■r.         r,.  POUGHKEEPSII:    OrF  14".  1780 

Dear  Sir:  >     •     • 

I  have  reC  your  letter  of  the  9th  and  10th  Inst,  and 
am  unhappy  that  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  have  met 
you  at  Poughkccpsie  agreeable  to  your  appointment. 
I  received  the  information  too  late  for  the  purpose. 

I  should  do  myself  the  pleasure  of  waiting  upon 
you,  at  West  Point,  but  from  the  information  con- 
tained in  the  papers  enclosed,  in  the  letter  to  his 
Excellency  General  Washington,  (which  I  send  under 
a  flying  seal  for  your  perusal,  and  to  be  forwarded  by 
express),  I  find  it  absolutely  necessary  to  proceed  to 
Albany,  and  intend  to  set  out  this  evening  or  in  the 
morning.  The  almost  total  Avant  of  every  species  of 
supplies,  I  fear  will  prove  flital  to  us.     We  have  not  a 


NOKTHERN  INVASION. 


97 


single  Continental  troop  there,  and  our  whole  depcnd- 

ance  is  in  the   militia,   and  this  to  oppose  a  very 

formidable  body  of  regular  troops. 

I  am  with  great  esteem, 

Dear  Sir,  Your  ohed'  Serv', 

G.  Clinton. 
Major  General  Green. 

[Forwarded  by  Cap'  Belding.] 


Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  General  Washmf/io7i. 

PouGiiKEEP.siE,  14"'  October,  1780. 
Dear  Sir : 

I  transmit  your  Excellency  enclosed,  copies  of 
several  letters  I  received  last  night,  at  Kingston,  from 
Col"  Malcom,  Lt.  Col"'  Lush  &  Livingston.  They 
contain  the  only  account  I  have,  of  the  disagreeable 
situation  of  our  affairs  to  the  northward  and  westward. 
I  shall  immediately  set  out  for  Albany  to  employ 
every  man  in  my  power  to  oppose  the  further  progress 
of  the  enemy,  and  should  Fort  Schuyler  be  invested, 
as  there  is  reason  to  apprehend,  I  will  endeavor  to 
succor  that  fox't. 

Your  Excellency  will  be  informed  by  one  of  Col" 

Malcom's  letters,  that  Van  Schaick's  regiment  is  left 

Albany  and  on  their  way  to  join  the  army,  so  that  our 

whole  dependence  at  present  must  rest  on  the  militia. 

13 


'I 

;3 


98 


NOHTnERN  I'.VASION. 


The  levies  raised  for  tlic  service  of  the  frontiers, 
compose  the  garrison  of  Fort  Schuyler,  and  Malcom's 
corps  occupy  the  other  posts  on  the  north,  and 
Mohawk  rivers  and  at  Schoharie  and  are  of  course 
very  much  dispersed. 

If  it  was  possible  for  your  Excellency  to  spare  some 
Continental  troops  on  this  occasion  they  would  inspire 
the  militia  with  confidence,  and  enable  us  to  repel  the 
enemy.     The  want  of  supplies  of  every  kind  in  this 
quarter,  will  greatly  embarrass  every  measure,  and  I 
fear  that  with  our  utmost  exertions,  we  shall  fail  in 
collecting  a   sufficient  supply   of  provisions   for  the 
troops  that  it  may  be  necessary  to  keep  in  the  field  on 
this  emergency.     It  is  a  little  ^remarkable  that  we  have 
not  had  the  least  intelligence  from  the  Grants,  of  the 
approach   of  the   enemy,   though   they  passed  their 
settlements  in  boats,  on  their  way  to  Fort  Ann. 

This  enterprise  of  the  enemy,  is  probably  the 
effijct  of  Arnold's  treason,  and  when  they  are  infomed 
that  the  capital  object  of  it  is  discovered  and  defeated, 
it  is  to  be  presumed  they  will  be  discouraged  in 
prosecuting  the  full  extent  of  their  designs,  though  I 
think  we  ought  not  to  place  any  reliance  on  this 
presumption. 

I  am,  &c.,  G.  C. 

His  Excellency 

General  "Washington. 

[Forwarded  by  Oct'  14">  in  the  evening  enclosed  to 
Gen.  Green  by  Capt.  Belding.] 


NOUTIIERN  INVASION. 


99 


Letter  from  Ca.]^  Sherwood  to  Col.  Jlcnri/  LivliKjston. 


On  Board  the  Cauleton,  17"  October,  1780. 
Dear  Sir : 

It  is  with  regret  that  I  write  from  this  place,  hut 
my  situation  will  admit  of  no  other.  I  have  not  had 
the  least  reason  to  complain  since  a  prisoner,  but  have 
been  used  with  the  greatest  politeness.  You  have 
doubtless  heard  the  particulars  of  my  giving  up  the 
garrison  at  Fort  Ann  to  Maj'  Carleton,  who  was  at 
the  head  of  seven  hundred  and  seventy-eight  men, 
chiefly  British.'  I  have  with  me  seventy-five  men, 
officera  included,  which  was  the  whole  of  my  garrison. 


'  Seth  Sherwood,  a  ciiptain  of  exempts,  in  a  petition  for  relief,  dated 
April,  1783,  says; 

"  On  the  10th  of  October,  1780,  was  informed  that  on  the  foregoing 
night  an  express  had  passed  from  Fort  Ann  to  Fort  Eilward,  with 
intelligence  that  the  tracks  of  150  or  300  of  the  enemy  had  been 
discovered  by  a  scont  from  Fort  Ann,  near  Soiitli  Bay.  And  ratlier 
thiniiing  them  to  be  less  in  number  tlian  more,  as  generally  so  proves 
in  alarms,  and  taking  advice  from  some  of  his  company,  who  were 
gathered  to  draw  ammunition,  &c.  I  rode  off  for  further  information, 
in  order  to  know  in  what  manner  to  proceed  for  the  relief  of  troops  at 
Fort  Ann.  I  being  soon  met  by  a  number  of  the  enemy,  who  informed 
Fort  Ann  was  taken  and  burnt,  which  I  gave  but  little  credit  to,  till 
made  sensible  by  being  brought  to  tlie  niain  body  of  Major  Carlton's 
party  or  army,  whieli  consisted  of  800  regular  troops  and  loyalists 
exclusive  of  35  savages,  and  seeing  tlie  garrison  was  captured  to  my 
surprise  and  made  sensible  of  the  truth.  And  my  being  examined 
strictly  concerning  the  strength  and  number  of  troops  at  Fort  Edward 
and  I'ort  George,  &c.,  was  ordered  to  fall  in  with  the  body  of  the  rest 
of  the  prisoners." 

Captain  Sherwood's  premises  were  wasted,  and  property  destroyed, 
which  he  valued  at  £941  hard  money. 


luu 


NOUTMKUX  INVASION. 


and  not  to  oxcecd  ten  (.oiiikIh  of  ainimiiiition  p'  luuii, 
lay  commuuiwitioiiH  cut  off  and  without  tlie  loant  hopes 
of  ivliof  for  Hoiiio  timo.  It  in  not  only  chugnuin^i.- 
hut  hcart-hmikiu^'  hoon  to  rohite  tlic  dolofull  tail. 

Ilowovof  after  c()n8ultin«r  my  ortiwrs  and  Hoinc  of 
luy  most  scnsihle  men,  [I]  afjivcl  to  eapitidate,  and 
.  gavii  up  the  garrison,  and  consider  myself  aiul  men  as 
prisoners  of  war,  could  have  made  some  resistence 
lis  long  as  my  powder  and  hall  lasted,  hut  when  that 
was  exhausted,  what  men  that  should  then  [have] 
survived  would  have  been  niassacred  by  the  savages. 
This  being  my  situation,  hard  as  it  was,  I  agreed  to 
sign  tlio  articles,  having  liberty  to  send  tlie  women 
and  children  to  their  respectiyo  homes. 

My  men  are  divided,  so  as  I  am  not  able  to  write  au 
exact  account  of  the  numbei-  of  my  men  and  tho 
militia  apart. 

Maj'-  Chipman  is  also  prisoner  here  with  about 
forty  men  from  Fort  George.'    Have  sent  p'  the  bearer 

;  On  the  t4th  of  Mnroh,  1781,  Captain  Chip.uan,  who  who  wasstill  a 

rnsonci-,  but  on  paroK'  at  Alhany,  pctiiionrd  tho  h-ishiture  Correlid" 

The  (M.nanions  of  his  parole  .ectuired  him  to  return  to  the  eaeniv 

unless  a  I>r.  Geor^a-  Smyth  of  the  .:ty  of  Albany.  wr..s  exehang..,!  t\,r 

himself  and  servant,  before  the  firs,   day  of  .>[ay  following     The 

committee  to  whom  this  petition  w.is  referred  reported    that  ns 

tai)tam  Chipman  was  not  a  subject  of  the  state,  nor  captured  while 

in  tho  nnmediato  service  of  the  same,  a  compliance  would  do  great 

injustice  to  subjects  of  the  state,  then  prisoners  with  the  enemy  and 

anxious  for  an  exchange.    Dr.  Smyth  an.l  family  had  been  allow.'d  to 

.go  to  Canada  on  parole  in  October,  1780,  to  be  exchanged  for  Peter 

Hanson  and  Adam  Fonda  of  Tryon  county.    This  transa.tion  appears 

not  to  have  been  perfected,  or  if  so,  was  not  known  to  Captain  Chipman 

in  March,  1  < 81 .-  I^yiMirc  /V^«t.,,  2,084.     Clinton  Pajwrs,  ii  2liii 


r?l 


NOKTIIKHN  INVASION. 


101 


u  few  liuoH  to  Mrs.  Slierwood.  You  will  do  ruo 
piirticiilar  fuvour  to  send  it  her  by  the  tti-Ht  safe  hand. 

1  am  111  u  poor  Hituatioii  to  coiitiimo  in  thiw  cold 
climate  this  winter,  having  no  clothoH  with  mo  but 
what  1  brought  on  my  hack,  and  dentitutc  of  any 
money.  Must  consequently  suiter  greatly  if  no  way 
is  devised  by  our  legislative  body  for  the  relief  of  the 
state  prisoners.  My  men  are  very  bad  clad,  and  most 
of  them  without  shoes. 

You  will  please  let  Mr.  Gillet  know  that  my 
aecoui)  •  of  issuings  for  this  month  is  destroyed,  but 
the  number  of  men  are  about  the  same  of  last  month. 

I  am,  Sir,  with  Esteem  your  very  Humble  Serv' 

Adiel  Sjikuwoou. 
Col"  Livingston, 

Comiiiaiidiiig  Levies  at  Fort  Kdward. 


I 


iSir 


Letter  from  General  Heath  to  Gocernur  Clinton. 
West  Point,  Oetoher  17'",  1780. 


ALijor  General  Greene,  a  day  or  two  since,  ordered 
Colonel  Gansevoort's  Jtcgiment  to  the  assistance  of 
the  upper  counties.  They  embarked  yesterday,  but 
the  wind  has  since  been  so  fresh  down  the  river,  as  to 
prevent  their  sailing.  I  have  this  day  ordered 
Weissenfel's  regiment  immediately  to  embark  and 
sail  for  Albany,  there  to  receive  the  orders  of  your 
excellency,  or  the  commanding  officer.     I  hope  these 


102 


NOIITIIEHN  INVASION. 


iil't 


rugimuutrt  will  univc  in  season  to  cnrb  the  incurHionn 
of  till!  eiuMiiy. 

Colonel  Van  Hchuick  iimvcd  Iutc  thh  day,  witli  the 
regiment  under  his  oo.nnmnd.  J.  winh  he  had  l.ecn 
dotaitied  if  it  was  iiccessnry. 

His  EYoolloncy  General  Washin^rton,  has  been 
[.loaned  to  honor  mo  with  the  comnumd  of  this  post 
and  its  depondi.neies.  Your  Excellency  can  well  form 
a  judgment  in  what  state  this  post  is  in  at  present,  in 
respcet  to  provisions  fuel  and  forage,  and  the 
obstructions  which  the  ai.proaching  cold  season  will 
soon  throw  in  the  way  of  obtaining  them. 

While  I  assure  you  that  the  into-v-t  of  the  State  of  New 
York  and  the  security  of  this  irnportant  post  shall  have 
my  every  attention,  I  earnestly  re.p.est  the  continuance 
of  your  assistance,  the  salutary  cfibcts  of  which  for  the 
public  service,  I  have  often  experienced,  and  or^  which 
at  present  I  principally  depend. 
r  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  greatest  respect, 
Your  Most  Obedient  Servant, 
His  Excellency  Governor  Clinton.  "       '      ' 


Letlerfrmi  Lieut.  Col.  Vmla-  to  llmrij  Gkn. 

Lower  Fort  Sciioiiary,  OcI'-  17,  1780 
Dear  Sir : 

The   enemy   have    burnt  the   whole    .,     ■   uoli.uy. 
The  first  fire  was  discovered  about  the  iir  ^dle  fort, 


NOBTHEHN  rNVASION. 


103 


8  o'clock  this  morning.  Thoy  pnHHod  th'iH  I'ui-t  on  l>oth 
flidos  at  4  o'clock  thirt  afternoon.  Tlioy  took  the  whole 
of  their  hooty,  and  moved  down  to  JIarnion  Sitney'H.* 
They  have  fired  two  Hwivol  Hhots  thro'  the  roof  of  thiH 
church.  I  have  sent  three  scouts  to  luako  Homo 
diHccvericH  ahout  the  middle  fort  at  different  times 
this  day,  and  none  have  as  yet  returned.  No  express 
has  arrived  at  this  post  from  cither  fort.  By  what  wo 
have  soon  of  the  enemy,  wo  suppose  their  force  to  ho 
between  5  and  GOO,  mostly  regulars  and  tories. 

V.  Veedkr,  Lt.  Col. 

3  o'clock  at  nigh*:.     The   express  says  there  were 
150  more  of  the  enemy  at  the  upper  part  of  Schohary. 

To  II.  Glen,  Ksq'. 


I 


li 


Lctkr  from  Gnural  llohcrt    Van  Jinissdacr  to  Goirrmr 

Clintou. 
Dear  Sir : 

The  letter  of  which  the  enclosed  is  a  copy,  was 
delivered  me  this  morning.  The  express  who  hrought 
the  letter  advises,  that  colonel  Veeder  directed  him  to 
inform  Mr.  Glen,  that  150  of  the  enemy  in  addition  to 
the  number  mentioned  in  his  letter,  were  in  the  upper 
part  of  Schohary. 

I  shall  in  an  hour  or  two,  as  nearly  as  I  can  estimate, 
have  between  0  and  700  men.     Fifteen  head  of  cattle 


'  Sidney's  place  was  about  one  mile  from  Slonnsville  at  the  lower 
end  of  the  flats. 


104 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


intended  for  Fort  Schuyler  arrived  Lero  yesterday.  I 
Jiave  ordered  six  to  be  killed  this  morning,  to  victual 
the  troops  for  two  days,  and  as  I  shall  in  all  probability 
bo  necessitated  to  make  use  of  the  rest,  and  Avant  an 
addilioual  number,  your  Excellency  will  perceive  the 
necessity  of  directing  the  agent  to  take  measures  for 
replacing  those  destined  for  the  fort.  The  cattle  are 
extremely  small,  and  I  am  informed  will  not  on  an 
average  net  more  than  two  hundred  w'  per  head. 

As  I  have  been  disappointed  in  procuring  the  horses 
and  wagons  I  intended,  I  shall  immediately  march  to 
F  ^  Hunter,  and  upon  my  arrival,  take  such  measures 
as  circumstances  will  admit  of,  to  intercept  the  enemy's 
retreat. 

The  express  who   brought   Colo.   Veeder's   letter, 
says   that   Major  ^Voolsey  saUied  from   th-  garrison 
yesterday,  and  killed  five,  and  took  two  of  the  enemy. 
The  prifoners  arc  British  soldiers. 
I  am,  very  respectfully, 

your  Excellency's  most  obd'  serv' 
Q  ^  Ron"  V  REXssKr.AKi!.' 

ScnENEC'^ADY,  Oct  18,  9  A.  M. 

p.  ,s._Thave  di-ected  Colo.  Veeder,  with  all  the 
force  he  can  collect  from  the  different  garrisons,  (so 
as  not  to  weaken  them  too  much),  to  hang  on  the 
enemy's  rear,  but  to  avoid  an  engagement,  and  I  hope 
to  bo  able  to  be  at  hand  to  support  him. 

'Ci'iu-ral  l{ol,crt  Van  1?    issclaer  resided  at  C'lavera.k   th..n   in 
Albany  county,  and  under  tl.o  colonial  -..vernnicnl,  was  colonel  of 


NOKTIIEKN  INVASION. 


105 


Tjcttcr  from  (rurcrnor  (Jlinton  to  General  Srhiii/kr. 


Albany,  Ortohcr  18,  1780. 
Ir  Sir : 

I  wrote  yen  yesterday,  since  which  I  liave  seen  your 

letter  to  Gen'  Ten  Broeck,  giving  an  account  of  the 

enemy's   appearance   near  White  (h-eek.      Tliey  are 

also  at  Schohary  in  very  considerable  force.      They 

have  artillery  with   them,   and   have   completed   the 

dcKtruction  of  that  settlement.     Thus  cii'cumstanced, 

I  have  been  obliged  to  divide   the  small  force  that 

could  be  raised  immediately  trom  the  lower  pai'ts  of 

this  county,  to  oppose  Ll:e  enemy  at  Ballstown  and 

Schohary,  and  as  yet  it  is  impossible  to  do  more  than 

detach  Col"  Schuyler's  Keg',  to  the  assistance  of  the 

militia  in  your  vicinity.     This  I  have  directed  Gcii. 

Ten  Broeck  to  do,  and  tliey  are  to  march  immediately. 

Before  I  left  Poughkeepsie,  I  wrote  Gen.  Washington 

accounts  of  the  enemy's  app'^arance  on  our  frontiers. 


militia.  lie  served  ns  ii  ili  Icirnte  in  tlie  provincinl  congress,  and  was 
elected  to  the  first,  second  and  fourth  sessions  of  the  lower  hraneli  of 
the  state  legislature.  On  the  25th  of  February,  1778,  he  was  again 
apiiointed  colonel  under  state  authoritj',  und  on  the  S.'Jth  of  .June, 
1780,  was  made  brigadier  general  in  command  of  the  second  brigade 
of  Albany  county.  He  lield  this  ofhce  until  the  state  militia  were 
arranged  into  five  divisions,  on  the  18th  of  April,  1800,  when  he 
became  major  general  of  the  third  division,  coini)rising  CJolumbia, 
Uensselaer,  Washington,  Clinton  aiid  Essex  counties.  He  died  at 
his  home  in  Claverack,  Septendu'r  lllli,  t80'2,  aged  si.\ly-one  years. 
lie  was  the  father  of  .Jacob  l{utsen  Van  Hensselaer,  formerly  a  leadinir 
lawyer  and  |mliliclan  of  Claverack,  who  was  secretaiy  of  state  in 
I8i:!-1,-.. 

14 


100 


! 


NORTireRN  INVASION. 


and  the  capture  of  Forts  Ann  and  George,  and  pressed 
the  necessity  of  send«  some  troops  for  our  relief. 

T  am  Sir,  Sec. 

G    C 
Gen,  Schuyler.  '      * 

P.  S.  1  this  morning  Avrite  to  Gen.  Washington 
repeating  my  request  for  relief,  and  immediately  after 
this  is  done,  I  intend  to  set  out  for  Schenectady, 
leaving  (:Jen.  Ten  Broeck  in  command  here,  uith 
orders  to  forward  you  further  assistance  as  soon  as  a 
suflicient  mimber  of  militia  shall  come  in  to  render 
that  measure  proper.  You  will  immediately  order 
Col.  Stephen  Schuyler's  reg'  to  Saratoga,  to  join  the 
militia  collecting  there,  and  assist  in  the  protection  of 
the  Inhabitants,  in  that  pari  of  the  country,  against 
the  incursions  and  depredations  of  the  enemy. 

G.  C. 


Letfcr  from  Linit.    Col.  Barcvl   I.  ^faah  to    Gorervor 

Clinton. 

LowEK  Fort,  Octohrr  18"',  1780. 
This  moment  your  Excellency's  letter  came  to  hand. 
Two  prisoners  from  Sir  John's  army  arriv'd  at  the 
same  time,  with  the  following  intelligence :  that  eight 
o'clock  this  mornhig,  Johnson,  Butler  and  Brant, 
mov'd  with  their  army  from  Sidney's  saw  mill,  down 
the  Mohawk  road  to  the  said  river,  where  they  were 


Hi 


i;i;; 


NOllTHEKN  INVASION. 


107 


to  joyiie  the  party  of  the  eiiemj'  from  the  nor'ward. 

their  strength  by  the  ace'  of  these  prisoners,  is  one 

thousand  men,   of  which  were  2   hundred   Indians : 

the  rest  regular  troops  and  torys.     Another  party  of 

150,  were  gone  to  Katskill.     Tlie  post  at  this  place  is 

safe, 

Barent  I.  Staats,'  Lieut.  Coll. 

To  his  Excellency, 
George  Clinton  Esq'. 

[Forwarded  to  the  care  of  Henry  Glen,  Schenectady.] 


Letter  from  Major  J.  Laimnij  to  Goccrnor  Clinton. 

Mohawk  River,  6  Miles  East  of  Fort  Hunter, 

Ocio''  18,  1780,  6  p.  M. 
Sir: 

This   moment,    General   llonsselaer  is   advised  by 

express,  that  the  enemy  are  burning  the  country  in 

the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Hunter.     Their  force  could 

not    be    ascertained    when    the    man    came    away. 

General  Rensselaer  intends  to  push  on  by  moonlight,^ 

as  soon  as  ho  possibly  can.     Perhaps  your  Excellency 

may  deem  it  advisable  to  order  the   militia  now  at 


'  Tills  offlcer  IjL'longcd   to  Pliilip  Schuylt-r's  regiment,    and  wiis 
commissioned,  .June  ^3,  1778. 

'^Full  moon  occurred  on  llic  morning  of  tlie  lytli.   The  moon  arose 
on  tlie  18tli,  ut  eight  minutes  before  10  i'.  m. 


I 


■ 


I  OS 


NOUTIIKliN   INVASION. 


ScluMuvti.d.v,   to  n.aivli  up  s,.  .,s  to  .-over  our  ivtmit 
should    wo    cxiuTioncc"    11    rotrvat,    vvliich    wo    Imvo' 
liowovor   MO  ulva  of  at  prosi^nt,  as  the  militia  ovincu 
Htu-li  a  disposition  to  oii-ra-o,  as  proiniscs  a  Iiappy  issuo. 
I  liavo  the  honor  to  bo,  voiir  lOxt'olloiicv's 

MostObod'  SoiV, 

d.  IiA^'SJ^'(),  Major. 


fl 


js;  :  ; ! 


'i     !■■, 


Sir 


r^cthr  jVoii,  (lormtor  (Uiithrn  to  (faimil  Was/im/hx. 


Albanv,  Onh-- 18'",  1780,  10  1'.  M. 


^  1  Avroto  to  your  Exoollonoy  from  I'ou-hkoopsie  on 
Saturday  last,'  and  communioatod  to  you  the  accounts 
whioli  I  l.ad  then  roooivod  from  this  quarter.  The 
next  .lay  I  set  out  for  this  pla.'o,  and  arrived  here  on 
Monday.  lTp„„  ,ny  i,n-ival,  I  found  tlie  main  body  of 
the   enemy  whioh    appeared   iu   the  northward,^  had 

'OcloluT  14tli. 

^{erernng  to  lluM.xp,.,li ,  .nul.r  M,.,i„r  ChristopluT  CaHof.n 

lias    oncer  who  bdon,..,!   ,»    tl...    '2'MU   n^nn.nt,  U.Kl    .,.„k  as 

ooUrn..!  K.br.m.y  1U,  178^.  a.ul  his  na.n,.  was  last  on  Ihe  an,.;  M  Jj 

In   tlu.  sprin^r  of  1778,  a  Col  md  ("arldon,  nq.lu.w  of  0,.n..ral 
CMrldon    was   ,-o„ovl,.,l   as   havin,-  l.,...„  for  son,,  ti.n..  ...n,.     1 
i.n.on.u:  Ih.  to,-y  innahitants  a,„u,„l  Johnstown,  as  a  spy  and  th  ,    h 
took  the  .on,..  tro„,  tl,..,u.o,o  Oswego,  on  l,is  .v.nn,  .o'c;.;!  ''t 
Man„„s  .le  La  Ka.yette,  in  w.^iti,,.-  fh,n,  Johnstown,  Ma,eh  (i,  1778, 


NOKTIIKKN  INVASION. 


10!) 


roturncd  by  the  way  of  Lake  George,  and  that  part  of 
the  country  seemed  again  to  be  in  a  state  of  tran(iuility. 
Yesterday  luorning,  however,  I  was  informed  tliat  a 
party  had  made  its  appearance  at  BallHtoii,  and 
destroyed  some  Imildiiigs  there,  and  about  noon,  I 
received  accounts  that  tlie  enemy  were  at  Scholiary, 
and  it  was  confirmed  that  they  Jiad  destroyed  tlie 
whole  of  that  vahiable  settlement.  Their  num1)ers  of 
one  division,  are  computed  at  about  (500,  and  the 
amount  of  tlie  other  division  is  uncertain.  They  have 
artillery  with  them.  Major  Woolsey,  who  commands 
the  levies,  made  a  sally  from  one  of  the  small  forts 
there,  and  took  two  regulars,  and  killed  live  savages. 
By  wliat  route  they  came,  or  mean  to  return,  I  have 
not  been  able  to  ascertain. 

Yesterday  morning,  I  ordered  General  Yan  Rensse- 
laer, with  some  troops  to  iSchenectady,  with  directions, 
as  soon  as  he  could  make  the  proper  discoveries,  and 
if  his  force  should  ap],»ear  competent,  to  march  and 
endeavor  to  intercept  them. 

By  a  letter  from  General  Schuyler  at  fSiiratoga,   1 


uri?i'(l  upon  (JoloiK'l  (Jimscvoort,  the  iniportmice  of  eiuU'avoring  to 
ciipturc  liiiu,  iiiiil  li-oin  liis  own  i)ursc,  otrured  tilly  guineas  lumd 
money  (besides  sill  tliey  niiglil  find  on  his  person),  to  any  party  of 
soldiers  or  Indians  who  would  bring  him  in  alive.  These  efforts  were 
unsueeessful,  and  this  enterprising  person  \>as  not  apprehended. 
Altlio'  h  mentioned  under  a  different  rank,  we  eonjeeture  thai  he 
was  the  same  ollieer  tliat  led  the  expedition  by  way  of  Lake  Cham- 
phiin,  in  tlie  autumn  of  1T80.  The  eorrespondouce  relative  to  his 
supposed  presence  in  the  country  as  a  spy,  is  given  in  CnmphelVs 
Annakof  Tnjon  Oo'iiili/  (I8:il),  p.  15!). 


'  "I 


1(1 


NORTIIEKN  LVVASIOX. 


am  inforniod  that  the  enemy  yesterday  burnt  the 
settlement  of  White  Creek,  in  Charlotte  county,  and 
the  ftnioke  was  discernalile  from  tlie  heights  near  his 
house.  The  post  at  Fort  Edward,  after  the  removal  of 
the  stores  is  evacuated,  the  levies  who  were  stationed 
there,  having  insisted  that  tlieir  time  of  seiTice  is 
c'xpiiod,  and  Col»  Livingston'  the  commanding  otKcer, 
with  the  other  ofHoers  are  now  on  tlieir  return.  I 
have  ordered  out  the  whole  of  the  militia  from  this 
part  of  the  state.  A  considerable  part  are  already  in 
the  Jield,  and  I  shall  leave  this  [place]  immediately 
for  Schenectady,  in  order  to  make  the  necessary 
arrangements. 

From  this  state  of  the  mattter,  your  Excellency  >vilt 
perceive  the  necessity  of  sending  a  force,  if  it  can 
possibly  be  spared  for  the  defense  of  this  part  of  the 
country. 

No  dependance  can  be  placed  on  the  militia  remain- 
ing long  from  home,  and  the  three  months  levies  will 
soon  be  dismissed,  so  that  without  some  further 
protection,  Schenectady  and  this  place  will  be  our 
frontier. 

I  received  no  intelligence  from  the  Grants,  either 
whether  the  enemy  have  done  any  mischief  there  and 
whether  their  militia  is  turning  out  for  our  assistance. 

1  am  &c.  G.  Q 


'  Colonel  .James  Livingston  of  tliu  Confinentiil  army. 


NOKTIIERX  INVASION. 


Ill 


Letter  from  Governor  Chittenden  of  VeiTiiont,  to  Oovemw 

Clintou. 

Bennington,  8  o'clock,  evening  18"'  Oct.,  1780. 
Sir: 

I  enclose  to  your  Excellency  a  copy  of  a  letter 
I  this  moment  received  (by  Express),  from  Col° 
Webster,'  requesting  the  assistance  of  the  militia  of 
this  neighborhood  to  his  assistance. 

I  have  called  for  the  assistance  of  the  militia  of 
Berkshire  county,  who  have  attended  in  the  late  alarm, 
and  are  now  returning  home.  The  militia  of  this  state 
are  still  in  the  north,  watching  the  motions  of  the  enemy. 

I  have  nevertheless  sent  for  Berkshire  militia,   to 

call  on   me   as   soon   as  may  be,   who   I   shall  send 

immediately  to  your  assistance,  unless  I  have  counter 

advises  from  yonv  Excellency,  by  the  time  of  their 

arrival. 

I  am  !Siv  your  Excellency's 

Obed'  Humble  Serv' 

Tno's  Chittenden. 
His  Excellency  Gov'  Clinton. 


>  Alexander  Webster  was  a  native  of  Scotland.  He  suceecded  Col. 
John  Williiinis  in  eoniniandof  a  militia  regiment  in  Cliarlotte  county, 
Alareh  4,  1780,  and  resigned  Miircli  29,  ITHK  lie  served  in  the 
provincial  congress,  was  two  years  in  as.'^emlily,  and  from  1777  to 
178r),  and  from  17!t()  to  17!):i  in  the  state  senate,  and  while  a  member 
of  this  body  held  for  five  years  a  place  on  tiie  council  of  ajjpoint- 
inent.  He  was  two  years  first  judge  of  Washington  county,  and 
held  other  offlc'es  of  trust.  He  died  at  Hebron,  N.  Y.,  Sept.  17,  1810, 
aged  seventy-five  years. 


112 


NOKTIIKUN   INVASION. 


I'.  S.  This  sta(o  arr  ahvjiys  mi(l_y  to  coiliicratc  in 
any  nieaauroH  to  triiHtratt'  tlio  (ii'sitrns  nl'  tin-  coimnoii 
onomy. 


%'-l]    II 


/ji/tcr  frotti  Isiuir  Sloittotlmrijli  to  Gorcrtior  Clinhii. 

^^^.  Ai.ltANY,  1!!"'  fA-A>Arr,  1780. 

I)'  bir: 

I  nokn(m!c(l.<?o  tlio  roc'  of  your  favour  of  this  date. 
Ft  aflonls  mo  ^roat  satisfaction,  tliat  I  am  al)I('  to 
inform  your  Kxcolloncy,  that  it  is  in  my  iiom-r  to 
comply  with  your  donuuul,  jif  both  oattlo  and  flour, 
(witliout  proceeding  to  iiii  immediate  imj.rcss  from 
private  families).  ISfost  of  the  latter  is  already  on  tlie 
road.  The  cattle,  will  be  sent  on  from  here  early 
to-morrow  morning.  They  consist  of  ;}0  liead  of  fine 
cattle.  If  yonr  Excclleney  thinks  it  necessary,  after 
this  sujtply,  to  proceed  to  imi)ress  from  ]irivato 
families,  I  stand  ready  to  execute  your  comnuiiuls. 
in  the  meantime,  shall  wait  your  Excellouey's  further 
order,  while  I  am,  with  the  uiost  sincere  Kstccm,  k 
rcirard,  your  Kxcellency's 

Most  Obedient  TFumb'  Servt. 

Isaac  Stoi  tkmu'iujii. 
His  Kxci'llency,  ^ 
Gov.  (Mintou.      i 


N(»RTIIKKN  INVASION. 


11 :{ 


Lcittrfrnm  Grvmil  Tm  limrl;  tn  (iormm-  CUvtmi. 


Sir: 


Amiany,  19"'  OH"  10  o'clork, 
ill  \\w  iiinrniiif?. 


Your  Excclleiicy'H  letter  I  luivo  received,  with  the 
iiK'losed  note  from  iiiont.  ( !ol.  Htaatrt :'  luivc  wrote  to 
Col.  Van  Bergen,^  &  Snyder,'' the  intelligonee  it  contains, 
and  an  express  will  go  with  it  instantly. 

I  have  nothing  fiirtlier  from  the  nortliward,  since 
your  Excellency  loft  this,  nor  from  IJall's  town.     If 
any  cattle  come,  they  will  he  forwarde<l  immediately. 
I  will  deliver  Col.  Ilay*  your  message. 
I  remain  your  Kxccllency's 

most  ohedient  Jfuinhlc    Servant, 

Aij"  Tkn  nilOKCK.'' 


'Bnrcnt  StnntH,  nppointpd  licutt'iinnt  colonel  in  Colonel  Philip  V. 
Schuyler's  regiment,  .June  23,  177H.  IIu  died  in  Jk'lhlehcin,  Albany 
county,  in  April  1700. 

'■'Colonel  Anthony  Van  Bergen,  appointed  .Tunc  20,  177H. 
'Colonel  .Tohannis  Snyder  of  Ulster  county,  appointed  February 
10, 1778,  resigned  November  2, 1781. 

'Colonel  Udny  Hay,  appointed  state  agent,  .June  20,  1780. 

'■'General  Abraham  Ten  Hroeck  was  descended  from  one  of  the 
most  ancient  Dutch  families  of  Albany,  and  his  father,  Direk  Ten 
Hroeck,  was  many  years  recorder  and  then  mayor  of  Albany.  He 
was  born  May  111,  17:14,  began  business  as  a  merchant,  and  in  175!}, 
married  Eli/al)eth,  the  only  daughter  of  Stephen  Van  Hensselaer 
and  aunt  to  the  late  General  Stei)hen  Van  Rensselaer  of  Alban}'.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  colonial  general  assemldy  from  17(il  to  177")^ 
and  of  th('  provincial  congress  and  convention  which  organized  a 
state  governnicnl  in  1777,  of  which  latter  body  he  wa.s  president, 
He  was  appointed  .Tunc  25,  1778,  to  the  command  of  the  Albany 
15 


■SSSSA 


Hi 


NOUTIIKUN  INVASION. 


Lcita-frum  Genmif  Tn,  Ilronkfo  (,'ormmr  C/Mon. 

y.  Al-BANV,  lit"'  (),'K,  4  oVlook  p.  M. 

oil': 

Mr.  Ik-MHoii'H'  fiivoi-of  tliiH  (liito  I  liave  roooivod,  mid 
have  delivcrod  Dr.  AIcCroa'H^  note  to  J)r.  Treat.''     ]Ie 
is  l)rq.ariIl,^r  the  noccssuries,   and  will  hcikI  tlu-ui  on 
immediately.     Thirty  head  of  cattle,  and  50  barrelH  of 
flom-,  are  thi.s  moment  going  on  to  .Schenectady.     My 
exertionn  shall  be  used,  in  forwarding  on  provisions  as 
fast  as  they  come.     T  beg  your  KxcoUency's  pardon, 
for  opening  tlie  inclosed  letter  from  General  Schuyler." 
I  wish  I  was  able  to  comply  witli  his  request.     T  need 
not  tell   your  Excellency,  tiiat  it  is  imi.ossible,  con- 
sidering tbe  weak  state  of  my  body.     1  shall  continue 
to  do  every  thing  in  my  power  to  forward  the  service. 
I  have  sent  him  a  copy  Mr.  Benson's  letter,  and  liave 
wrote  in  the  most  pressing  manner,  to  the  colonel  his 

l.rigiul..  of  militia,  mxl  upon  its  division  .Tunc  25,  1780,  ivm.iined  ns 
l.n-adifr  of  tlic  first  l,rig,ulc  until  l.c  resigned  IVoni  ill  heultli  Marcl. 
20,  1781.  He  was  state  senator  from  1780  to  178;j,  and  tlie  lirst  year 
ot  las  term  lie  served  on  Die  eouneil  of  appointment  for  the  western 
distnct  Fron,  1770  to  178;i  he  was  n.ayor  of  Alhany,  and  from  1781 
to  1.04,  first  judge  of  All„my  county.  For  some  years  he  was 
president  of  the  Albany  bank,  lie  died  at  Albany,  .Tunuary  10 
1810,  in  the  seventy-si.xth  year  of  his  age. 

> Robert    Benson,  elcrk  of  the  senate.    He  died   in    New   York 
February,  182;!,  aged  eighty-tliree  years. 

=  Dr.  Stephen  MeOreti,  medical  direetor  of  the  northern  department. 

•'  Dr.  Malaelii  Treat. 

*Tlien  .It  Siuatogii,  but  witliout  offleial  eommand. 


NOkTIIKItN  INVASION. 


115 


IdotlK'i','  now  in  liin  inari'li  to  Hanito^a,  to  inirtli  on, 
and  onik'avorto  inkuvojit  Sir. John,  if  he  wliould  (.mcupo 
Oen'  KunssL'iaer. 

I  remain  your  Excolienfy'H  most  liuinl)lc  Hervt., 

All"  Ten  Hiiukok. 

r.  S. 

Al)'  150  men  of  Livingston's  niilitiu  ai-e  now  erossing 
the  ferry.     I  shall  hurry  them  on. 
His  Excellency  George  Clinton. 


Ldlcr  from  General  Van  Jienssekur  to  Goraiior  Clinton. 

Canajoiiaiue,  opposite  Frey's,  11  .\.  m. 
Sir : 

This  morning  ahont  nine,  1  arrived  so  near  the 
enemy's  rear,  as  to  attbrd  me  a  prospect  of  engaging 
them  l»ofore  noon.  They  have  however,  hy  the 
celerity  of  their  movements,  ett'ected  their  escape  to 
Stono  Arabia,  part  of  which  is  now  in  flames,  and 
the  whole  will  probably  share  the  same  fate,  before  I 
can  possibly  support  the  distressed  inhabitants. 

I  intend  to  ford  the  river  immediately,  and  march 
in  quest  of  them,  but  harrasscd  and  fatigued  as  my 
force  is,  by  a  long  march,  I  am  apprehensive  I  shall 


'Col.  Stephen  ).  Schuyler,  iippointed  May  38, 1778;  resigneil  f'-uni 
ill  health,  March  20,  1781. 


Ill) 


NOKTHKUN  (NVASroX. 


«i«»t  bo  ul.lo  ti.  iMirniK.  tlu-ii.  with  that  (liHput.,-1.  wliu'h 
is  .u'c-HMury  t..  ..vcTtake  tlu-iii.     No  oxortiori  iK.wover, 

Two  priHoiifi-H  who  wt'iv  l.n.u^ht  in  at  Fort  iriintor, 
irif..n.u.<l  Mr.  Cuylor,  that  Sir  John  intoiuU-.l  to  rotnrn' 
by  tho  way  of  Crown  l'.,int,  that  ho  had  U^t^  bin  boats 
in  tho  Ti.;on(lero^r,i  lako,  but  had  hIuco  altered  his 
intended  point  to  Crown  ]'oint,  by  tlio  way  of  Stono 
Arabia.' 

I  uni,  your  K.xeelleney'rt  obedt  servt, 
lioii^  Van  Uknhski.aku. 
D.iboiH  will  J„i„  Hie  at  WalrathV  about  2  niilo 
ubovo  this.  I  am  this  moment  informed  that  Colonel 
IJrmvn,  who  with  a  party  ppj.oHed  tho  enemy  was 
defeated.  His  Iohh  is  „ot  ascertained.  The  enemy 
ure,  it  is  said,  between  (100  and  1,000  strong'. 


Molmwk.  »„a  Us  pri,„n,,«I  mt\vnmU  was  almut  line,.  n,iI,.H  th„n  th.. 
river,  al„,„t  i,,u„iiy  ,ii„,„„t  from  C',umj„l,arii.  an.I  Fort  Plain  This 
rut..nt  ...nl.raml  12,700  acres,  an.Uvas  granted  October  10,  IT'.;,  by 
ovornor  Unmet  „,  .Fohn  Christian  Oarla.k  and  twenty^ix  o  her 
1^  atn,ates,  who  can.e  over  in  1710.    The  patent  reeites'^an  InZ 

tht  share  hdongmg    to  each  associate,    reserves  all    ship-timber 

•  V  ;        '  'V'T'r*'"' '"'"""""  "f^'^^ttl^'ment  within  a  lin.ited  term 
ot  years.    l'.,t<>n/i,,  ix,  m  -.  Stnrtanfs  Offic. 

u.rn,d  on  the  day  ol  th,.  battle.  On  the  l;>th  of  Noven.her,  1784,  the 
Rev  Jon,  Frederick  Kics,  its  pastor,  petitioned  for  a  grant  of  con- 
hscated  lands  at  Johnstown  to  aid  in  rebnilding  it. 

"Mil  u  nulc  above  Ih,.  modern  village  of  tliis  mim.'. 


NOKTIIKKN  INVASION. 


I  I 


UUcrJrom  ,Stmpsun  JJi/cfcman  tu  (jonnior  Clinton. 


Sir: 


1  o'clock. 


Col.  Livin^'Htoii'  Ih  jimt  an-ivi'd.  lie  tells  rue  pro- 
viMiouH  arc  coni'm^r  „i,,  l,„th  flom-  and  nittlc.  I  have 
procured  a  mniiber  of  baggH,  and  iinproHHed  Home  good 
hoFHCs,  and  hIuiII  Ijo  on  as  soon  as  poHHiblo.  (\.I  Hay' 
will  bo  hero  witli  more  proviHions  in  ubont  three  liourn. 

I  am,  Ac, 


Gov'  Clinton. 


8.  DyCKMAN. 


Letter  from  GcnmU  Van  Rensselaer  to  Oovenior  Clinton. 

Sir: 

The  enemy  wan,  by  the  hwt  intelligence  I  can 
collect,  and  from  their  burnings,  about  u  mile  in 
advance  of  my  brigade.  I  have  about  000  men, 
including  about  50  Indians.  I  shall  pursue  with  as 
much  dispatch,  as  is  consistent  with  safety  to  the 
troops  under  my  command. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  obed'  servant. 

Kuu^  Van  Rens8elakk. 


'  Probably  Lieut.  Col.  Henry  Livinj^ston,  jr.,  wlio  then  coinnmiKkHl 
the  Livingston  manor  regiment,  in  i)hice  of  Col.  Peter  R.  Livingston, 
who  resigned  September  31, 1780. 

''Uduy  Ilay,  agent  for  supplying  troops. 


IIS 


NOUTIIKHN   INVASION. 


A  (losortoi-  \vl„.  arrived  this  iiftoriioon,  advises  that 
tiic  t'liom.v's  force  does  not  exeeed  rm  men. 

Afohawk  river,  ahont  2  niiU's  alx.ve  eaini)  Kensselaer, 
north  side  of  the  river,  ^  after  r»  i".  m. 


Ldt,r/rom  iU.  Lad,  Dubois  h  Gaimd  Van  licnssdaer. 

Dear  Coll:  H  o'clock. 

Wo  are  now  as  far  as  Fall  Hill,  Edl's  House,'  in 
i'uU   pursuit  of  the  enemy.     They  passed  this  place, 
«nn  half  an  hour  high.     They'  spoke  with  some  people 
here,  and   said  that  they  had   1200  piek'd  men,  and 
eould  go  where  they  pleased.     After  they  passed  this, 
a  smart  tiring  was  heard,  supposed  to  he  at  the  fort,  as 
they  passed   the  German  Flail        1  have  three  more 
prisoners  of  their  party.     No    time   must  he   lost  in 
pursuing  them.     The  prisoners  say  they  have  great 
numbers  wounded;  that  Sir  John  is  wounded  through 
the  thigh.     They  en(iuire(l  of  Esq'  Eell,  particularly, 
concerning  the  strength  of  Fort  Schuyler,  and  their 
number  there. 


•Fall   mil  was  a   httio  souti.  of  tho  J.iui,.  Falls,     ('apt.  George 

lonry  Bell,  a  brother-m-law  of  Gcnoral  Ilorkin,-,-,  was  womule.l  at 

O.iskany,  a,ul  thoivl.y  (l.s,,,u.lili,.,l  f.„,„  n.ilitary  service  at  this  limo 

He  was  apponU.Ml  a  jnstie,.  of  ll„.  peace  Fel,n,ary  2,  1778.     A  notict- 

ot  him  IS  -iven  in  ticii/on'n  Ikvkima-  Coiin/i/,  ji.  CM. 


\§l 


NOIITIIKKN  INVASION. 


iin 


Thoy  left  all  tlioir  cuttle  behind  tlieui,  wlien  tliey 

croHsM  the  river.     Esff  Bell  supiioscd  tlieir  munbers 

to  be  about  400.     They  divided  at  the  Fall  Hill,  one 

part  by  German  FJatts,  tlio  other  by  Andrnstovvn.' 

I  am  yours  sincerely, 

Lewis  DrnoYs.'' 
(icu'  Tieiisselaer. 


Letter  from  Col.  Lewis  Dubois  to  Govcrmr  Clinton. 

FoKT  Hi;iiKiMi;it,  1  o'clock. 
D'  8ir : 

I  am  here;    pursued   the  enemy  so  close,   that  I 

prevented    them    from    burning   or   doing  the   least 

damage  to  the  inhal)itants.     From  what  T  can  learn 

by  the    Tnhabitants,    the   enemy  is   not  above   four 

miles  in    front    of   us.       My   men    much    ftitigued, 

without  provisions,  I  must  here  make  a  halt  untill  T 

can  get  some  provisions  to  refresh  them. 


'Tlio  testimony  aubscciiRMitly  otferecl  before  a  court  of  inquiry 
shows  that  tlie  pursuing  piirty  lost  all  traces  of  the  route  of  the 
enemy  beyond  Fort  Herkimer,  anil  that  ,-iome  Indian  scouts  returned, 
unable  to  lind  tlieir  trail.  Andrustowii  was  a  settlement  in  the 
lu-esent  town  of  Warren,  Herkimer  coimty.  Seven  families  were 
livinir  here  when  the  revolution  began.  The  seUlement  was 
plundered  aiul  burn!  in  .Inly  1778,  and  some  of  the  inhabitants  taken 
luisoners. 

••^TUis  name  has  usually  been  spelled  Du  Hois,  or  Dubois,  and  was 
sonutimes  thus  written,  we  believe,  by  the  eolonel  himself,  at  a  later 
period.  The  family  was  of  Huguenot  descent,  and  the  name  is 
evidently  of  French  origin, 


120 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


The  enemy  is  very  much  fatigued.  They  travelled 
almost  all  last  night,  without  any  refreshment.  They 
must  make  a  lialt. 

This  moment  I  reC  information,  that  the  enemy  is 
at  a  place  call'd  Shoemaker's  Land,  ahout  four  miles 
from  here.  Gen'  Rensselaer  this  moment  appears  in 
sight,  with  the  militia. 

The  enemy  are  bending  their  course  for  Buck 
Island.' 

I  am,  yours, 

Lkwis  Duboys. 

P.  S.  My  men  have  agreed  to  naarcli  without  eating. 
I  expect  to  attack  them  in  3  hours  time. 


Warrant  for  Imjyresswg  Cattle  and  Flour. 

By  his  Excellency  George  Clinton,  Esquire 

Governor  of  the  State  of  New  York  &c. 

&c.  &c. 

To  Col"  Abraham  Wemple,  &  Henry  Glen,  Esqrs.  or 

either  of  them.  Greeting: 

The  emergency  requiring  the  same,  you  are  hereby 

authorized  and  required,  to  impress  forty  head  of  fiit 

»Now  Carleton  island,  in  the  St.  Lawrence.  It  was  then  fortified 
and  maintained  as  a  rendezvous  of  parties  sent  out  upon  the  frontiers. 
A  portion  of  tlie  works  of  tliis  fort  were  excavated  from  tlic  roclc 
and  its  ruins  are  still  an  object  of  mucli  interest.  A  small  guard  of 
mvalids  was  kept  here  by  the  IJritisii  until  1813,  although  the  island 
IS  on  the  American  side  of  the  boundary  line. 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


121 


cattle,  and  sixty  barrels  of  ilour  for  tlio  use  and  service 
of  the  army.     For  which  this  shall  be  your  warrant. 
Given  at  Schenectady,  this  19th  October  1780. 

Geo.  Clinton. 
The   provision   impressed    immediately   to  bo   for- 
warded to  the  troops  under  my  command. 

Geo,  Clinton. 


A  Return  of  Ordnance  and  Stores  taken  from  the  British 
Army  commanded  Inj  Sir  John  Johnson. 

Fort  Rensselaer,  Oeto.  19"',  1780. 
I  Piece  Brass  Ordnance,  3  PJ  with  implements 
complete ;  43  Rounds  round  shot  fixed ;  10  do  canister; 
1  Quadrant;  2.  Powder  measures;  1  Hand  saw;  1 
Four  P^  W;  1  Half  do;  1  Quart  do;  1  Scale  beam; 
1  Mallet  &  set;  20  Fuses;  1  Scane  marlin;  2  Port 
Wires;  1  Cold  chisel;  1  Augur;  1  Punch;  1  Soano 
Quick  match;  100  W  Corn  powder;  1  Dredging  box. 
Jo.  Driskill,  Lieut.  Artillery. 


The  Invasion  from  the  North. 

From  Loudon's  New  York  Packet,  and  Americun  Advertiser  (Fishkill), 

October  19, 1780. 
"By  the  arrival  of  yesterday  post  from  Albany,  we 
have  it  reported :    That  Sir  Join.  Johnson,  had,  with  a 

16 


122 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


party  said  to  bo  about  500  moii,  como  down  tbo  Mohawk 
river,  and  advanced  witbiii  six  miles  of  Johnstown ; 
when,  hearing  that  a  party  of  our  hree-nionths  men 
lay  there,  he  contented  himself  with  burning  a  few- 
houses,  killing  and  canning  off  some  inliabitants. 

Another  party  of  about  800,  commanded  by  Major 
Carleton,  nephew  to  Gen.  Carleton,  came  down  the 
lake  from  St.  John's  and  advanced  to  Fort  Ann, 
which  was  garrisoned  by  al)Out  70  men,  among  whom 
w^ere  14  Continental  soldiers.  They  having  cannon 
with  them,  and  the  fort  1)eing  only  stockaded,  every 
shot  .iiade  a  breach,  ft  was  however  defended  by 
Capt.  Sherwood,  Avith  the  greatest  gallantry,  until 
two  thirds  of  his  men  were  sldin,  when  he  surrendered,^ 
This  party  also  destroyed  several  houses,  killed  some 
men,   and   took  the  women  and   children   prisoners. 

'  In  the  introduction  (page  44),  we  have  followed  the  statement 
above  given,  although  different  from  that  given  in  a  note  to  AVash- 
ington's  letter  to  the  president  of  congress,  found  m  Sparks' s  Life  and 
WritiiKjH  of  Um/iin(/ton,  vii,  209.    The  note  referred  to,  is  us  follows : 

"  *  *  *  A  large  force  came  up  Lake  Chaniplain  and  took 
Fort  George  and  Fort  Anne,  with  all  the  troops  stationed  in  tlieni. 
Captain  C'hipnian  commanded  a  part  of  Warner's  regiment  at  Fort 
George.  On  the  nioriiing  of  the  11th  of  October,  he  despatched  an 
express  to  Fort  Edward  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  provisions. 
While  on  his  way,  this  person  was  fired  upon  by  a  i)arfy  of  twenty- 
five  men,  but  he  escaped  and  returned  to  the  fort.  Ca])taui  Oiipman 
Ruppo.sing  the  parly  to  consist  of  a  jiarty  from  the  enemy,  sent  out  all 
his  garrison  except  fourteen  men.  Tins  detachment  mot  the  enemy 
l)etween  Hloody  Pond  and  (Jage's  Ilill,  where  a  eonllict  ensued,  in 
whicii  almost  every  man  was  either  killed  or  taken.  Tlie  enemy 
marched  to  Foil  George,  whicli  atler  a  sliort  resistance  was  surren- 
dered by  capituliition.  Colonel  Warner  and  Lieutenant  Safford  were 
alisenl.     The  force  of  (he  eiu'my  was  estimated  at    eight   himdred 


NORTH i;kn  invasion. 


123 


They  were  pursued  by  Col.  Liviugstou  as  far  as 
Bloody  Pond,  but  too  late,  they  having  retreated  to 
their  l)oatH  and  made  off.  So  far,  the  reports  from 
tliat  (piarter,  wliieli  we  hope  arc  not  so  bad  as  related. 
Ill  our  next,  we  expect  to  have  a  more  exact  narrative 
of  this  unhappy  atfair." 


Letter  f rum  Genenil  S'chni/kr  to  Gocenior  Clinton. 

Sakatuoa,  Veto.  20"',  1780. 
Dear  Sir : 

Your  Excellency's  favor  of  yesterday  morning  from 

Caughnawaga,  I  had  the  pleasure  to  receive  at  five  in 

the  afternoon.     I  am  happy  to  learn  that  Sir  John 

Johnson  has  been  overtaken  and  put  to  route.     When 

Itritish  troojis,  two  liiiiulrcd  liidiiins,  iiiul  two  fonipmiics  of  lories. 
Twciity-oi^riit  of  tliu  u;ariisoii  were  killed  uiul  tifty-six  taken  prisoners. 
Two  days  previously,  Captain  Sherwood  had  surrendered  Fort  Anne 
and  the  whole  garrison,  eonsistinj,'  of  seventy-seven  men. 

"The  invading  troops  approaehed  Fort  Edward,  but  were  prohalily 
prevented  from  making  an  attaek  by  a  stratagem  of  Colonel  Livingistou, 
who  commanded  there.  Hearing  of  the  incursion  of  the  enemy  he 
wrote  a  letter  to  Captain  Sherwood,  on  the  morning  of  the  day  in 
which  Fort  Aniu!  was  suriendered,  saying  he  was  very  strong  and 
would  supi)ortthat  garrison  if  attacked.  lie  gave  this  letter  to  a 
messenger,  who  he  had  little  doubt  Avould  carry  it  to  the  enemy, 
which  he  is  presumed  to  have  done,  and  thus  to  have  saved  that  post 
thmi  the  fate  which  had  befallen  the  others.  The  garrison  did  not 
amount  to  seventy  men.  I'arties  penetrated  near  to  Saratoga. 
Tliirty-tive  hou.ses  were  burned.— 3/*'.  Dfter  from  Colone'  Ziringsfon, 
Octohir  \Wi— Colonel  Warn(r\i  Mter,  October  SOt/i." 

General  Schuyler  states  that  the  force  at  Fort  Edward  consisted  of 
one  hundred  and  fifty  men. 


124 


NOHTllKKN  INVASION. 


.your  IfttcT  anivc'd,  we  liiid  ;il,„iit  150  men  ut  Fort 
Edward,  and  an  many  more  liad  arrived  liere,  about  ten 
in  the  morning ;  those  at  Fort  lOdward  witliont  any  heel", 
and  those  here  Avith  none  hut  wliat  1  eoidd  turninh 
tlioni.  All  my  cattle  iit  for  the  knife  are  ah-eady 
killed,  and  1  have  sent  lo  try  and  eoUeet  some  more, 
but  1  fear  a  supply  will  arrive  too  hvto  to  push  u  party 
in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  who  were  at  Balistown.  1 
huvi'  however,  sent  to  Fort  Edward  on  the  subject,  but 
with  little  liopcs  that  any  will  move  from  thence. 
One  of  the  enemies  party  who  stole  into  the  country, 
and  was  taken,'  informs  that  Afajor  Oarletou  intended 
to  renuiin  at  Ticonderoga,  and  to  push  for  White 
Creek,  as  soon  as  the  militia  should  Ije  retired. 

The  prisoner  calls  himself  Ensign,  and  cmne  from 
New  York  in  August  last.  Another  villain  has  gone 
past  here  who  corroborates  the  account,  as  some  torics 
advise,  with  wliom  he  lodged. 

The  panic  that  has  si'i^^ed  the  people  is  incredible. 
AVith  all  my  efforts,  I  cannot  prevent  numbers  from 
deserting  their  habitations,  and  I  very  much  apjire- 
hend  that  the  whole  will  move,  unless  the  militia 
remain  alone,  until  pennauent  relief  can  be  procured. 
1  am  dear  Sir  most  sincerely 

your  Excellency's  most  ob'  scrv', 

TT-     T..         n  ,^  !'"•  SCHUYLKB. 

1118  Exceilency  Gov.  Clinton,  .tc. 


'Alluding  to  .lanics  Van  Driescn,  who  was  subse(|ueutly  tried  by  i 
court  lunrtial  and  sentenced  lo  l)c  Ining  as  a  spy. 


N(»UTIIi;UN  INVASION. 


125 


1'.  S.  Tlio  women  and  cliildrcii,  whoBO  IrnHbandM 
liiivo  jLfono  to  (Juiuida  Htlll  romaiii  Irmv,  Tlicy  will  bo 
an  intoU'i-ablc  bunion  to  tlio  country  if  they  ronuiin 
in  it  all  winter.  I  bog  your  Excclloncy  an  Hoon  uh 
yon  can  Hparo  tinio  to  turn  your  attention  to  tlioir 
diHpo«itioii. 


Letter  from  Gomrnor  Clinton  to  General  Schut/ler. 


Sir: 


ArjiANY,  Oclolicr  2fi,  1780. 


I  liavo  l)oon  favored  with  your  letter  of  the  20th 
Inst.  Wo  are  just  returned  from  the  pursuit  of  Sir 
John,  though  unfortunately  without  that  complete 
suoeess  whiith  I  informed  you  wo  had  reason  to  expect, 
after  the  tMigagement  at  Canajoharie.  There  are, 
however,  about  40  prisoners,  and  the  enemy  have  lost 
their  baggage  and  artillery.  Tliis  action  also  stopped 
them  in  their  devastations,  and  obliged  them  to  tly 
with  i)recii)itation. 

Col.  Gansevoort's  reg'  has  marched  to  your  frontier, 
and  this  I  doubt  not,  will  give  you  inimcdiato  pro- 
tection, and  a  proportion  of  the  levies  will  bo  ordered 
to  that  part  of  the  country  as  soon  as  they  are  raised. 

The  necessary  passports  for  the  women  and  children 
you  mention  shall  be  made  out  immediately  after  I 


^•^'^  NOKTIIKKN  INVASION. 

»m  i-v     ,shc..l  with  tl.oir  nanu-M,  ur..!  the  Htci.8  tiikon 
prescribud  by  tho  law  made  ihv  that  imrpoHu. 

1  um,  &c.  G.  C. 


Lcltci- f,;,,!,  (lormm-  Clinhn  tn  Vuhnvl  hlock. 

j^.  ,_  J'OHT  IvENHSKLAKll,  Oct.  23'',  1780. 

Tlie  hito  invaHion  of  tlio  enemy,  has  doluyed  the 
ruiHiiig  of  the  troops  wliicli  are  iuteuded  to  relieve  the 
levies  ill  this  county,  and  it  will  be  some  dayn  more, 
before  any  troops  can  be  collected  for  the  defence  of 
the  several  posts  on  the  river.  You  will  therefore 
order  out  from  the  county  militia,  mdx  nundxr  of 
men  to  tliose  posts  us  the  officer  commandii.ir  the 
Department  shall  require,  and  yon  may  be  assured 
they  will  be  relieved  as  soon  as  possible. 

Yours  &c.  G.  C. 

To  Col.  Klock  commandin.ir  the  Militia  of  Tryon  Co. 


Letter  from  Governor  Clinton  to  Colonel  BelUnffcr. 

FoiiT  TlEniajiER,  Octo.  23'',  1780. 
To  Col.  Bellinger. 
Sir: 

Until  troops  ca.i  be  raised  for  the  defense  of  the 
country,  it  is  necessary  that  the  militia  be  detached  to 


NOinriFUV  INVASION. 


127 


hold    tlio   frrtiiticr   poHtH.      V'ou   will    tlioroforo   nnlcr 

twr.ity  moil  of  your  rcgimont  into  Foi-t  Bnytoii,  iiiid 

tlio    Humo    immbor    into  Fort  Herkimer,    tliis  day. 

There    will  he    olHcers   left  at  thene  posts  to   direct 

the  duty  and  your  men  will   he  relieved  an  Hoon  aH 

posHihIc. 

T  am,  &c.  G.  C. 


Oi'tfcr  for  Garrisoniiif/  Frontier  7'o.sifi, 

Head  Quarters  Fort  Herkimer  28''  Ocio,  1780. 

Coi.  Vroomaii  is  without  delay  to  cmhody  as  many 
men  of  liis  regiment  as  he  shall  deem  sufHeient  for  the 
garrisoning  of  the  several  small  posts  at  Sohohary,  and 
for  keeping  out  scouts  on  that  part  of  the  western 
frontier,  and  to  station  them  as  he  shall  esteem  hest 
for  the  protection  and  security  of  the  inhahitants,  and 
to  relieve  them  occasionally.  Such  of  the  levies  raised 
for  the  defence  of  the  frontiers  as  are  in  that  quarter 
are  to  remain  there,  and  he  continued  in  their  i)reHeut 
service. 

By  order  of  his  Excellency  the  Gov'. 

Stephen  Lusir,  A.  1).  Camp. 


128 


NOHTItKUN  INVASION. 


Lclli'r  from     Columl    Mtximthr     Wthdr    h    Govcnior 

Cliiihti. 


i 


VViiiTi;  CuKiiK,  0,r  i'4'\  17H0. 
I )'  Uovornor : 

Ever  since  the  10th  TiiHtnnt,  wo  have  boon  nil  annod 
and   onihodu'd.      Ever    Hint'o   our    rctuni    from    Kort 
Edward,  the  alarniH  came  both   from  the  wcHtward 
and  north.     I  kept  out  HcoutH  between  Fort  Edward 
and  Skenesborough,  and  shall  continue  till  otherwiHO 
provided   for.      I  received    last  night,  a  letter  from 
General  AUon,  a  copy  of  which  I  should  have  sent  your 
E.xcellency  if  the  want  of  i»iiper   had   not  prevented 
nie.     Hut  this  much  he  says :  the  enemy,  my  scouts 
have  discovered  them  and  boon  reconnoitring  tlicir 
motions  from  Saturday.     Yesterday  eight  days  ago, 
their  ship].ing  lay  off  Mount    Tiidependenee.     They 
nnn-ed  down  the  lake;  lay  awhile  at  rutnam's  Point. 
A  large  body  of  them  at  the  same  time  occupied  tho 
westward  shore,  as  appeared  from  their  fires,  and  pass- 
ing to  and  from  their  shipping.     They  moved  from 
thence  to  Hulwagga  Eay,  and  Urog  Bays,  Kayments 
Mills,  and  its  vicinity.     Tho  last  scout  informs,  that 
they  reconnoitred  those  bays  and  other  parts  of  tho 
lake   from    tho    Beautiful    Elm,  in    I'aiitoii,    but  dis- 
covered none  of  tho  enemy  or  their  shipping,  tho  5  of 
their  vessels  had  been  discovered  in  those  bays  tlie  day 
before.     They  further  add,  that  they  heard  a  Brhish 


NOHTIIKUN  tNVASION. 


129 


lirliiK  "f  Hinall  iirniH,  down  the  liiko,  but  it  boiiijif 
I'oKKy  tlu-y  coiikl  not  soo  tlio  tMieniy,  TIuh  contaiiiH  tlio 
I)articuliirrt.  Duto,  Oct''  i-»,  2  of  the  clock  i'.  m.,  17H0. 
Hir,  As  [  Imvo  vvroto  to  you  before  luul  biivo 
received  no  auHwer,  and  aH  we  jointly  joined  otHcerH 
and  principal  inhabitantu  in  coinicil,  and  sent  Major 
McOracken'  and  Scpiire  liuHHcl,  with  our  rcHolven  to 
your  Excellency,  and  as  they,  hearing  of  your  beinj^' 
at  Hchetjectady,  only  wrote,  and  sent  tlio  resolvcH,  r 
can  only  add,  I  do  my  best  to  keep  the  people  from 
moving  oft;  and  act  upon  the  defensive,  till  F  hear  from 
your  Excellency,  Ijeing  in  great  haste,  must  begg  to 
be  excused  and  remain  your  Excellency's  very  obliged 
and  Humble  Servant, 

Alkx"  \Vi:iiSTi;u. 


Extract  of  ft  Letter  from  Oapt.  Jonathan  Laurence,  Jm., 
to  Col.  Samuel  Drake.' 


Fort  Sciiuyleu,  Oct"  24"',  1780. 
On  the  22"'  Inst.,  agreeable  to  orders  from  the  gov' 
and  Coll  Malcolm,  a  party  of  2  C[aptuiiis]  2  L[ieuten- 
ants]  4  S[ergeauts]  and  50  Privates,  commanded  by 

•  Jo'^eph  McCrnckcn  had  resigned  the  offlc(!  of  lunjor  in  tlic  fourtli 
Continental  biittalion,  April  11,  1780.  lie  died  in  Sulcni,  N.  Y.,  in 
May,  1825,  in  his  c'i.!,'hty-ninth  year. 

•Colonel  Drake  wasoi"  Westchester  county,  and  hud  been  formerly 
appointed  to  command  a  regiment  of  militia  in  the  Continental 
service, 

17 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 

Capt.  Vrooman/  Josliua  [Drake,]^  tho  other  Cap'  was 
sout  out  in  order  to  harrass  the  Enemy's  front  and 
flank,  and  if  possible  to  destroy  the  boats  in  Onondaga 
Lake,''  wliicli  could  it  have  been  eftected,  would  have 
been  the  means  of  the  whole  of  their  force  fixUing  into 
the  hands  of  Gen.  Rensselaer,  who  was  following  them 
in  their  rear.     On  their  arrival  at  Canashraga,*  we 
found  the  enemy  had  just  moved  off,  and  that  7  men 
of  the  party  had  deserted  and  iinding  the  enemy  to  be 
numerous  by  their  tracks,  and  the  militia  not  pursuing 
their  rear  so  close  as  they  had  reason  to  expect  the 
officers,  agreed  to  retreat  back  to  the  fort.     They  had 
returned   three  miles,   destroying  the   Indian   settle- 
ments, when  unfortunately  my  unhappy  friend,  with 
the  party,  were  surrounded  by  almost  500,  who  they 
discovered  not  until  the  enemy  gave  the  Indian  shout. 
Two  of  the  party,  after  the  enemv  began  to  disarm 
them,  pushed  thro'  them,  who  fired  several  shots,  but 
fortunately  they   escaped.      One    of    them   was    my 
man,  who  Joshua  had  taken  as  a  waiter.     He  arrived 
about  an  hour  since." 


'  Cnpt.  Walter  Vroomaii,  of  Col.  .Tolin  Harper's  Ipvips,  appointed 
May  11,  1780.  He  remained  a  prisoner  until  tiie  close  of  the  war, 
and  died  in  Guilderlitnd,  Albany  Co.,  Fell.  17, 1817,  aged  seventy  years! 

'A  captain  in  ."Major  Van  IJunsclioten's  corps,  coniniission'nl  .Inly 
1,1780,  and  also  remained  along  time  pnson<'r.  He  snl)se(inently 
.joined  an  exju'dition  into  the  Indi.in  coiinlry,  and  was  killed  in  the 
battle  of  the  Miami,  Nov.  4,  17i)l. 

'•Probably  intended  for  Oneida  lake. 
*  Canaseraga. 


18 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


131 


Memorial  from  the  Inhabitants  of  Scheneetntlij. 

To  his  Excellency  George  Clinton,  Esquire,  Governor 
of  the  State  of  I^ew  York,  &c. 

The  men.oriiil  of  the  Inhabitants  of  the  town  of 
Schenectady,  liuml)ly  sheweth : 

That  Col.  WempeP  has  received  orders  from 
General  Ten  Broeck,  to  send  seventy  men  from  his 
liegimout  to  Fort  liensselaer. 

And  whereas,  the  present  situation  of  this  place  is 
become  a  frontier  town,  which  wo  have  reason  to 
believe  the  enemy  aims  to  destroy,  and  which  we, 
your  memorialists  are  a  good  deal  concerned  about, 
particularly  when  we  consider  the  different  settlements 
round  about  us.  If  we  turn  our  eyes  to  the  north,  we 
lind  a  settlement  called  Galloway,'''  and  another  called 
Peasley,  who  are  all  enemies  to  the  country,  and  even 
Balls  Town,  a  great  part  of  them.  To  the  Southward 
from  us,  we  have  tlie  ITellebcrgh,  which  are  likewise 
mostly  tories,  at  which  places  the  enemy  may  lay  con- 
cealed, untill  they  find  an  opportunity  to  destroy  this 
place.  And  one  half  of  our  Regiment  are  going  to 
these  settlements. 

We,  your  memorialists,  therefore  humbly  pray,  that 
your  Excellency  will  take  our  situation  in  consider- 


'Abniliam  Wi'nipcl  was  tlii'ii  colonel  of  the  Schenectady  regimunt. 
His  commission  was  dated  .Iiine  '20,  1778. 

"  Galway,  now  a  town  in  Sarato^ra  county. 


I 


m 


182 


NOHTJIEUN  INVASION. 


fttion,  and  grant  that  our  Regiment  may  remain  at 
homo,  to  defend  the  place,  and  as  Balln  Town  is  like- 
wise exposed  to  great  danger  of  anotlier  attack  of  tlie 
enemy,  we  lying  nearest  to  them  might  on  oe^'asion 
bo  a  great  assistance  to  the  good  people  of  that  place. 
And  we,  your  memorialists  as  in  duty  bound  shall 
ever  pray. 

[Signed  by  forty-one  citizens,] 
Schenectady,  October  24th,  1780. 


Letter  from  Governor  CUipn  to  Ehmczer  Busscll} 

^       „.  Albany,  Oct.  26,  1780. 

Dear  Sir : 

I  am  favored  with  your  letter  of  the  20th  Inst.  Col. 
Gansevoort  has  marched  his  rcg'  for  the  defence  of  the 
northern  frontiers,  and  as  soon  as  the  levies  are  raised, 
a  portion  of  them  will  be  ordered  for  the  same  pur- 
pose. This,  I  hope,  will  give  you  security,  and  pre- 
serve the  country  against  further  incursions  of  the 
enemy.  The  inhabitants  of  Charlotte  county,  may 
rest  assured  of  an  equal  attention  to  their  safety  with 
those  of  any  other  part  of  the  state. 

I  am,  &c.,  a.  C. 

I^benezer  Russell,  Esq"". 


'  Mr.  Russell  was  at  this  time  a  state  senator,  and  resided  at  Salem. 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


133 


Letter  from  Governor  HaUlimand  of  Caimla. 

From  the  TMndun  Oazette,  Whitohiill,  Jan.  0,  1781. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  General  naldinuuid,  govenK)r 
and  commaiidcr-iii-chief  of  his  Majesty's  forces  iu  the 
province  of  Qnchcc,  to  Lord  George  Germain,  one  of 
his  Majesty's  principal  secretaries  of  state;  received 
by  his  Majesty's  sliip  Danae. 

Quebec,  October  25,  1780. 

"I  have  the  honour  to  acquaint  your  Lordship,  that 
I  have  just  received  an  express  from  Major  Carleton, 
who  commands  one  of  the  detachments  mentioned  in 
my  letter  to  your  Lordship  of  the  17th  ultimo. 

The  secrecy  and  dispatch  with  which  this  detachment 
penetrated,  prevented  any  opposition  of  consequence 
on  the  part  of  the  enemy;  and  on  the  10th  and  11th 
instant,  the  garrisons  of  Fort  Ann  and  Fort  George, 
surrendered  prisoners  of  war. 

Major  Carleton,  who  has,  as  well  as  his  detachment, 
shown  great  zeal  and  activity  in  this  affair,  having 
fully  answered  the  purposes  for  which  he  is  sent,  is 
returned  to  Crown  Point,  where  he  is  to  remain  as 
long  as  the  season  will  permit  the  vessels  to  navigate 
the  lake,  in  order  to  draw  the  attention  of  the  enemy. 

The  report?  already  published  on  all  occasions,  by 
the  enemy,  of  cruelties  committed  by  the  Indians,  are 
notoriously  false,  and  propogated  merely  to  exasperate 


Ill 


•!    ! 


134 


NOltTIIKRN  INVASION. 


the  ignomnt  unci  deluded  people.  In  tliis  lute  iiiHtanoe, 
Major  Carleton  informs  ,ne,  tl.ey  behaved  with  the 
greatest  moderation,  and  did  not  strip,  or  in  any  respect 
ill  use  their  prisoners. 

T  inclose  fory.mr  Lordship's  information,  a  list  of 
the  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners. 

A  party  of  100  mei.  and  Mohawk  Indians,  crossed 
Lake  Champlain,  with  Major  (!arleton,  to  cooperate 
with  Sir  John  Johnson,'  who  must  be  by  this  time, 
upon  the  Mohawk  i-ivor,  and  another  party  of  200 
Canadian  Indians  with  their  proper  officers,  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant  Ilaughton '  of  the  5.3^  regiment, 
marched  the  same  time  towards  the  Connecticirt  river.' 
They  are  returned,  having  bi^ought  away  32  prisoners, 
without  any  loss,  although  pursued  by  a  superior  force,' 
of  whicli,  it  is  thought  many  were  killed. 

I  every  day  expect  to  hear  of  Sir  John  Jolmson's 
success  upon  the  Afohawk  I'ivcr." 

"P.  S.  Nov.  2.  I  have  kept  this  open,  in  hopes  to 
give  your  Lordship  on  account  of  the  party  which  was 
sent  upon  the  Mohawk  river,  under  the  command  of 
Sir  John  Johnson.  The  enemy  by  the  means  of  the 
Oneida  Lidians,  who  deserted  from  Niagara,  liad 
received  information  of  the  intended  attack  upon  the 

■  This  „,ay  liave  been  the  expedition  that  left  the  lal^e  at  Bulwaffga 
bay,  and  by  an  interior  route  fell  upon  Oallston  settlement. 
^^Kichurd  and  William  Ilaughton,  were  at  this  tin.e  lieutenants  in  the 
.),id.    It  IS  uncertain  which  was  the  one  referred  to.    Details  of  the 
operations  of  this  j.arty  are  given  in  HaWH  E„.tn;i  Vermnnt  p  38B 


\:V% 


NOKTIIEUN  INVASION. 


135 


Mohawk  river,  and  had  prepared  accordingly ;  but  this 
did  not  prevent  his  success,  thougli  it  occasioned  liim 
to  meet  with  a  great  opposition.  I  liave  just  received 
a  letter  from  8ir  John,  wherein  he  acquaints  nie,  that 
he  had  destroyed  the  settlements  of  Schohary  and 
Stone  Arabia,  and  laid  waste  a  great  extent  of  country. 
He  had  several  engagements  with  the  enemy,  in  which 
ho  came  oft'  victorious.  In  one  of  them,  near  Stone 
Arabia,  he  killed  a  Colonel  Browne,  a  notorious  and 
active  rebel,  with  about  100  officers  and  men.' 

The  vessel  being  under  sail,  1  have  only  time  to 
inclose  the  return  of  the  killed  wounded  and  missiiiir. 

1  have  the  pleasure  to  acquaint  your  Lordship,  from 
Sir  John's  letter,  that  1  have  great  reason  to  hope, 
that  many  of  the  missing  will  iind  their  way  to 
Oswego  or  Magara,  as  some  Indians  and  rangers  well 
acquainted  with  the  woods  are  with  them.  I  cannot 
finish,  without  expressing  to  your  Lordship,  the 
perfect  satisfaction  which  I  have,  from  the  zeal,  spirit 
and  activity,  with  which  Sir  John  Johnson  had 
conducted  this  arduous  enterprise." 

Ednrn  of  the  killed  and  wounded  of  the  detaohment 
under  the  eonimand  of  3Lijor  Carletoii,  the  \lth  of  Octoher, 
1780. 

u  34tu  i-egimont,  1  private  killed,  1  sergeant  and  1 
private  wounded. —  King's  rangers,  1  private  killed. — 


•The  real  iuiin))C'r  was  forty,  incluUing  Colonel  Brown. 


I:50 


NOKTIIKHN  INVASION. 


nans. 


M 


Major  Jessup's  corps,  1  private  wounded.— Indi 

1  killed,  1  wouudcd. 

Deserted,  84th  regiment,  1  private;  McAlpin's,  1 
ditto," 

Return  of  the  Idllal,  wounded  and  imsoners  taken  at 
Forts  Ann  and  Georyc,  the  lOth  and  Uth  of  October,  1780, 

"Killed,  1  captain,  2  lientenants,  1  ensign,  23  pri- 
vates.—Wounded,  1  lieutenant,  1  private.— Prisoners, 

2  captains,  2  lieutenants,  114  privates." 

Jietum  of  the  killed,  wounded  and  mlssinrj  of  the  detach- 
mcnt  on  the  expedition  to  the  Mohaivk  rirer,  under  the 
command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Sir  John  Johnson  in  Oct 
1780.  ' 

"Royal  artillery;  1  private  missing.- 8th,  or  the 
King's  regiment;  1  private  killed,  1  drummer,  3 
privates  missing.- 34th  regiment;  13  privates  miss- 
ing.-Chasseurs,  4  privates  missing,  2  of  them 
wounded.— The  King's  royal  regiment  of  New  York, 
3  privates  killed,  1  lieutenant  Avounded,  13  privates 
missing.— Rangers,  1  captain,  1  sergeant,  16  privates 
missing;  3  of  them  wounded.-  Indians,  .-J  killed,  and 
Captain  Joseph  Brandt  wounded.  Deserted  of  the 
Royal  :N"ew  York  regiment,  3  privates." 

Return  of  the  rebels  killed  and  taken  on  the  expedition  to 
the  Mohaick  river,  in  October,  1780. 

"  On  the  Mohawk  river,  and  at  Stone  Arahia,  the 
18th,  19th  and  20th  October,  prisoners,  10  privates ; 


yy 


y 


r.1 


I 


a 


NOKTMKKN  INVASION. 


187 


i 

I 

\ 


killod,  one  colonel,  100  privatCH.  At  Cnnnghsiorngn, 
the  'li\*  of  October,  prisoiicrH,  2  eaptiiiiirt,  1  lieu(<  nnnt, 
4 sergeants,  4  corponils,  45  privates;  killed,  1  lieutenant, 
8  privates. " — AlmuiCs  Jietnanbmrurr,  xi,  81. 


Address  by  the  Mayor  and  Common  Conneil  of  Albany,  to 
Governor  Clinlon. 

To    Ills    Excellency,    George    Clinton,    Kscj' 
Governor  of  the  State  of  New  York,  General, 
and  Commander  in  chief  of  the  Militia,  and 
Admiral  of  the  navy  of  the  same. 
The  liespectful  address  of  the  Mayor  Aldermen  and 
commonalty  of  the  city  of  Albany. 
May  it  Please  your  Excellency : 

We,  the  mayor  aldermen  and  commonalty  of  the 
city  of  Albany,  beg  leave  to  congratulate  your 
Excellency  on  your  safe  return  to  this  place. 

It  aftbrds  us  the  highest  satisfaction,  that  your 
Excellency  has,  by  tlie  suffrages  of  the  people  at  the 
last  general  election,  been  contiiuicd  as  Chief 
Magistrate  of  the  state  : '  and  we  reflect  with  pleasure, 
on  the  prospect  of  a  continuation  of  those  civil  and 
religious  liberties,  which  we  in  common  with  other  of 


'At  the  triennial  election  olgivcrnor  in  May  oftliis  yeiir,  Governor 
Clinton  was  reelected  by  3,204  imijorWv. —  liiriiigfon'ii  a,iz<He. 
18 


ttV 


1 


138 


NOKTIIKUN  INVASION. 


our  fellow  citiziMiH  Imvc  oiijoyod,  iiiidor  our  froo 
constitution  and  your  wino  (ulininiHtrution. 

WliiU'  wo  liunont  the  late  (IcpridatioiiH  ooniniittvd 
by  a  barbarous  and  navugc  oiu'iny,  on  the  trontierH  of 
tliirt  state,  it  gives  ua  infinite  pleasure,  that  your 
Excellency  (ever  attentive  to  tlie  preservation  and 
protection  of  its  inhabitants,  and  to  punish  tho 
insolence  and  cruelty  of  the  foe),  bus  nuinifcHted  n 
disposition,  and  exerted  your  endeavor  to  repel  their 
incursion,  and  altho  unsurinountable  difficulties  havo 
arisen,  against  effecting  the  con^ilcat  capture  of  their 
forces,  yet  wo  congratulate  your  Excellency  on  their 
defeat  at  Canajohary,  by  the  militia  and  levies,  under 
the  comnumd  of  HrigadJcr  (ieneral  Rensselaer;  and 
permit  us  to  add,  that  oin-  happiness  ip  cncreased  by 
tho  consideration,  that  the  enemy  were  restrained 
from  tho  completion  of  their  purpose,  by  tho  vigorous 
pursuit  of  your  Excellency  with  the  troops ;  wliercby 
many  valuable  buildings  and  great  quantities  of  grain 
.levoted  to  destruction  in  the  minda  of  the  ei\cmy  were 
preserved. 

We  wish  your  Excellency  every  happinesR  in  public 
and  private  life,  and  whatever  enemies  to  our  peace 
and  mankind  in  general,  may  conceive  from  tho 
intriguing  schemes  of  their  enterprising  politicians, 
we  trust  that  good  Providence,  which  has  so  often 
protected  tho  people  of  tho  United  States  of  America, 
from  tho  secret  acts  and  machinations  of  the  enemy, 
will  abate  their  pride,  and  confound  their  devices. 


NOnTHERN  INVASION. 


139 


In  testhnouy  of  the  liiji^li  himiho  wo  onterttviii,  of  your 
Excclloiipy'H  zoal  and  fidelity  in  promoting  the  public 
good,  wo  heg  loiivo  to  presout  your  Kxoellcncy  with 
tlio  freedom  of  their  oity. 

^^y  order, 

A»"'I'i:n  MR(ii;<'k',  Mayor. 
Jlh'itu/,  Orfoh.  :iO'*,  17H0. 


Itqdi/  of  Governor  Clmtou  to  the  Farcf/oiiif/  Address. 

Geiitleiiu'ii : 

I  thaivk  you  for  thin  polite  addrosH  and  the  favorable 
sentiments  you  have  been  pleased  to  express  of  my 
elootion  to  the  chief  Magistracy  of  the  State, 

While  with  you,  I  lament  the  late  devastJition  upon 
our  frontiers,  it  affords  me  great  satisfaction  that  by 
the  vigorous  exertion  of  the  country,  and  the  attiick 
upon  the  enemy  at  Canajohary  they  were  prevented 
from  the  completion  of  their  cruel  purposes,  and  com- 
pelled to  seek  their  safety  by  a  disgraceful  and  pre- 
cipitate retreat. 

I  accept,  gentlemen  with  pleasure,  the  freedom  of 
your  city,  and  be  assured  I  shall  always  consider  this 
act  of  your  corporation  as  a  most  honorable  testimony 
that  my  conduct  has  received  the  approbation  of  my 
fellow  citizens. 

I  am,  &c.,  G.  C. 


I 


i  I 


140 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


MarchiDf/  Orders  of  Colomi   Wcissen/cb. 

gj,..  AhUANV,  a-/o/w  20^  1780. 

To-morrow,    you    will    m-Mvh  your    re-inient   for 
Sc^houoctady.     Tlio  Ibllowing  day,  you  are  to  .lotach 
tl.o  Levies  incorporatca   with  your  regiment,  to  the 
German    FJatts.     The    otfioer    wlio  shall   eommand 
them,  will  receive  instructions  from  Colonel  Malcolm 
who,  as  he  has  for  some  time  past  commands  in  the 
Department,  is  best  acquainted  with  the  posts  to  be 
occupied,  and  the  means  for  obtaining  supplies.     You 
will  hold  yourself  ready  to  march  with  the  residue  of 
the  regiment,  on  the  shortest  notice. 
I  am,  sir,  your  very  hum'  servt, 

G.  C. 


Letter  from  Gem.al  mio/kr  to  Governor  Clinton. 

Dear  Sir;  Saratoga,  October  2T\  1780. 

Yesterday,  I  received  the  inclosed.  Part  of  Col" 
Gansevoorts  regiment  marched  immediately,  and  the 
remainder  moves  this  morning.  I  question  whether 
the  enemy  will  make  a  second  incursion  this  way,  but 
I  have  my  apprehensions  for  White  Creek.  I  intended 
to   have   done   the    honor   to   have   Avaitcd   on   your 


i 


NOUTHKHN  INVASION. 


141 


Excellency  at  Albany,  but  shonld  the  enemy  nuikc  a 
penetration,  my  presence  here  will  1)e  absohitely 
neccHsary.  The  militia  at  Fort  Edward  have  killed 
their  last  cattle,  and  I  fear  they  will  not  be  supplied 
in  this  fpiarter,  I  therefore  intreat  that  some  may  be 
sent  from  Ix'low. 

Mr.  McFarlaji  informs  me,  that  the  Indians  at 
Schenectady  will  be  destitute  of  provisions  in  a  few 
days,  and  that  Colo.  Hay  gives  no  hopes  of  a  supply. 
Permit  me  to  intreat  your  Excellency's  intervention. 
I  wisli  your  Excellency  coidd  take  a  ride  to  this  place 
before  you  return  to  Poughkeepsie. 

I  opened  the  enclosed  from  Col"  Webster,  appre- 
hending it  miglit  contain  some  information,  and 
knowing  you  was  then  to  the  Westward. 

The  women  and  children  which  are  here,  if  they 
dont  go  to  Canada,  must  be  removed  into  the  country, 
as  they  cannot  possibly  subsist  here.  If  they  are  sent 
to  Canadii,  I  wish  Jacob  Snyder,  and  Abraham  Uilh' 
families  were  detained,  and  that  your  Excellency 
would  order  it  so.  Their  husbands  have  thrown  out 
some  threats,  which  they  say  [they]  will  execute,  as 
soon  as  their  families  are  out  of  our  possession. 
I  am.  Dear  Sir,  with  respect, 

Esteem  &  Jiegard,  Your  Excellency's 
Most  obedient,  humble  serv'.. 

His  Excellency,  Gov.  Clinton. 


142 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


Letter  from  General  Ten  Broeck  to  Governor  Clinton. 

Albany,  29'"  Octo';  1780. 
bir: 

Tlie  inclosed  copy  of  ii  letter  I  received  last  night 

from  Coll"  Van  Woert.     In  consequence  of  it,  I  have 

ordered   my  brigade  to  march   immediately,'   except 

three   Regiments,   viz.    Vrooman's,^  Wemple's^  and 

Cuylcr's.'     The  latter  as  they  may  be  soon  called  out 

to  mai-ch    at  the  shortest  notice.     The   other   two  I 

intende"  to  leave  home,  unless  there  is  an  absolute 

necessity  for  them. 

As  soon  as  I  get  any  further  accounts,  I  shall  send 
them  to  your  Excellency,    i 

With  great  regard  and  Esteem,  I  renuun 
Your  Excellency's  Most  obedient  humble  servt, 

^r.   1.      „         ^  Ab"  Ten  Broeck. 

liis  Jiixceilency  Governor  Clinton. 


i 


Letter  from   Colonel  Lewis    Van    Wocrt  to  General  Ten 

Broeck. 

Cambridge,  Oct.  28,  1780. 
I  have  just  now  received  an  express  from  Coll  Web- 
ster from  Granville,  that  a  body  of  the  enemy  have 

»  This  order  was  coiinteriuiimlcd. 

2 Peter  Vroonian,  of  Schoharie. 

^  Abraham  Weinple,  of  Schenectady. 

*  Abraham  Cuyler,  of  Albany.   IIo  was  coniniissioned  March  3, 1780. 


»i 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


143 


landed  at  Skencsboroiigh,  yesterday  at  one  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon.* 

As  the  enemy  seem  determined  to  burn  White 
Creek,  without  assistance  from  farther  parts,  we  wont 
be  able  to  hinder  them  to  push  down. 

Their  force  seems  to  be  two  thousand  five  hundred 
strong,  to  the  best  intelligence  I  can  get.  I  got  word 
likewise,  that  the  enemy  had  possession  of  Castle 
Town,  and  for  that  reason  I  dont  expect  assistance 
from  the  Grants. 

This  from  your  Humble  Servt, 

Lewis  Van  Wokrt,''  Coll". 
The  IlonV  Gen'  Ten  Broeck. 


Letter  from  Goccmor  Clinton  to  James  Dmnc? 


POUGIIKEEPSIE,  Octo.  29"',  1780. 
Dear  Sir : 

I  returned  late  last  evening  from  Tryon  county,  and 
have  only  time  at  present,  by  Mr.  Ray,  who  is  just 
stopped  here,  on  his  way  to  Phil»,  to  acknowledge  the 
receipt  of  your  letter  by  M'  Xnolton,  who  arrived  the 


>  This  rumor  was  subsequently  disproved. 

»  Van  Woert,  colonel  of  the  (Cambridge  district  regiment  in  Albany 
county,  was  appointed  April  4,  1778,  and  resigned  Feb.  2(5,  1781. 
nir.  Duane  was  then  a  delegate  from  New  York  in  the  Continental 


nr 


144 


NOUTIIKUV  INVASION. 


If 
I' 


evening  before  I  left  lionie.  Col"  JJenson  informs  me 
of  the  receipt  of  anotluM-  letter  from  you,  by  Mr.  Chin, 
which  was  forwarded  to  me  at  Albany,  but  which,  as 
I  returned  by  water,  I  have  not  yet  received. 

I  must  therefore  refer  you  to  the  enclosed  papers, 

for  an  account  of  our  and  the  enemy's  proceedings  on 

the  frontiers,  as  fiir  as  it  respects  men,  but  I  have  the 

mortification    to    inform    you    that    for  want   of   a 

permanent  and  adecpuite  force,  and  before  a  sufficient 

body  of  the  militia  could  be  assembled  to  prevent  it, 

the  wliole  of  the  valuable  settlements  of  Schoharie, 

and  a  part  of  the  settlem"  at  Bull's  Town,  and  almost 

the  whole  of  the  intermediate  country.     On  both  sides 

of    the   :\[ohawk  river,   fibm   Fort  Hunter  to  Fort 

Rensselaer,  at  the  upper  end  of  Canajoharie  including 

the  settlement  of  Stone  Arabia,  are  burnt  and  laid 

waste, 

On  a  moderate  computation,  we  have  lost  at  least 
150,000  bushels  of  wheat,  besides  other  grain  and 
forage,  and  200  dwellings.  Schenectady  may  now  be 
said  to  become  the  limits  of  our  western  frontier,  and 
the  first  object  worth  a  new  enterprise. 

I  am  not  surprised  at  the  conduct  of  Congress  with 
respect  to  our  dispute  with  the  people  on  the  Grants, 
for  upwards  of  a  year  past,  it  has  api)eared  to  me,  that 
they  were  encouraged  and  supported  in  their  revolt, 
and  that  delay  was  studied  to  strengthen  their 
opposition.  There  are  many  however,  who  firmly 
believed  that  Congress  would  take  up  the  matter,  and 


V' 


It  J.  > 
I 

•  ! 
A'4I 


NOKTIIKUN  INVASION. 


145 


decide  upon  and  enforce  the  decision,  agreeable  to 
their  resohition  of  June  k8t.>     The  evasion  of  it,  and 
the  encouragement  afforded  to  the  revolters,  lias  given 
universal   disgust  to   all    ranks    of  j^eoplo,    and    in 
confidence  I  cannot  but  inform  you,  that  the  most 
sensible  among  us  begin  to  be  jealous  of  a  premeditated 
intention  to  make  a  sacrifice  of  this  state,  to  answer 
the    political    views    of    others,    and    of    interested 
individuals,   and  I  should  not  be  suiiorised,  tho'   I 
may  be  mistaken,  if  these  jealousies  should  so  far 
prevail,  ss  that  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  legislature 
our  delegates  should  be  withdrawn,  and  the  resources  of 
the  state  which  have  hitherto  been  so  lavishly  afforded 
to  the  continent,  be  withheld  for  our  own  defence. 

•Alluding  to  resolutions  of  June  2c1,  declaring  the  proceedings  of 
the  Vermont  i)coplc  highly  unwarrnntabie  and  subversive  of  the 
public  peace  and  welfare  of  the  United  States.  The  resolutions 
required  the  inhabitants  to  abstain  from  all  acts  of  authority  civil  or 
military,  until  a  decision  should  be  made  concerning  their  claims  to 
separate  and  independent  jurisdiction  in  matters  of  state  government. 

The  jealoufiy  with  which  these  proceedings  were  regarded  may  h" 
inferred  from  the  following  letter  from  General  Schuyler  to  Governor 
Clinton :    . 

(Secret.) 

Dear  Sir  ■-  Saratoga,  Octr  31, 1780. 

The  conduct  of  some  people  to  the  eastward  is  alarmingly 
mysterious.  A  flag  under  pretext  of  settling  ii  cartel  with  Vermont 
has  been  on  the  Grants.  Allen  has  disbanded  his  militia,  and  the' 
enemy  in  number  upwards  of  l,(iOO  are  rapidly  advancing  towards 
us.     Tlie  night  before  last,  they  were  at  Putnam's  Point. 

Intrcat  Gen.  Washington  for  more  Continental  troops,  and  let  me 
beg  of  your  Excellency  to  liastcn  up  here. 

I  am,  dear  sir,  sincerely  yours  &c. 

Pii.  SciitrYi.Kn. 
19 


'I  T" 


mi  < 


!M 


n 


I'  '! 


146 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


Yourself,  Mr.  Floyd,'  Mr.  Scott,'  Mr  L'lTomniedin,' 

and  Gen'  McDougall,^  arc  appointed  delegates  for  the 

ensuing  year,  and  by  the  next  convenient  opportunity, 

your  comniissionH  will  be  transmitted. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c. 

Geo:  Clinton. 
The  iron'''"  James  Duanc,  Esq. 

P.  S,  I  lodged  at  Col"  Livingston's  the  night  before 
last,  and  have  the  pleasure  of  informing  you  that  Mrs. 
Duano  and  the  family  are  well." 

Since  writing  the  above,  I  ani  informed,  the'  not 
vfticially,  that  a  detachment  of  sixty  men,  who  were 
ordered  to  march  from  the  garrison  of  Fort  Schuyler, 
to  hang  on  the  enemy's  flank,  on  their  retreat, 
unfortunately,  before  they  discovered  the  enemy,  fell 
in  with  their  main  body,  and  the  whole  of  them  (two 
excei»ted),  made  prisoners.  I  am  in  great  hopes  how- 
ever, that  this  account  is  not  true,  as  the  order  given 
to  the  party,  by  Maj'  IFughcs,"  was  couched  in  the 


*  William  Floyd,  then  of  Siifl'olk  county. 
'GcncrnlJolm  Morin  Scott,  of  New  York  city. 
'Ezra  L'lloinnu'dicn, of  SuUblk  county. 

*  Alexander  AIcDougnll. 

"Jlrs.  Dunne  wiis  tlic  eldest  daughter  of  Robert  Livingston,  pro- 
prietor of  Livingston  manor. 

'Major  Peter  Hughes,  a  deserving  oflieor  who  then  commanded  at 
Fort  Schuyler,  died  at  Cayuga,  N.  Y.,  in  December,  1810,  aged  Hi.vty- 
flve  years. 


NOKTUKUN  INVASION. 


147 


most  exact  teriiis.  He  was  to  proceed  with  the 
greatest  circumspection,  and  not  to  hazard  any  tiling 
tliat  might  endanger  their  retreat. 


LeUer  from  Governor  Clinton  to  General  Heath. 


PouGiiKEEi'siE,  Octr  30'\  1780. 
Dear  Sir : 

Your  letter  of  the  17th  Inst  reached  me  on  my 
pursuit  after  Sir  John  Johnson,  ab'  14  miles  above 
Fort  Herkimer.  Gansevooi-t's  and  Wcissenfers  reg" 
did  not  reach  Albany,  until  the  enemy  were  driven 
out  of  the  country  and  those  to  tine  northward  had 
recross'd  the  lake  [and]  returned  as  far  as  the 
neighborhood  of  Ticonderoga.  The  Inhabit"  on  the 
northern  frontiers,  from  the  easy  access  the  enemy 
had  among  them,  were  greatly  distress'd  &  Col" 
Gansevoort,  before  my  return  to  Albany  from  the 
westw*  by  the  advice  of  Gen.  Ten  Broeck,  marched 
his  regiment  to  cover  that  part  of  the  country,  and 
prevent  its  being  abandoned. 

Weis  .leufels '  marched  to   Schenectady,  the  levies 


'Frederick  II.  Baron  de  Weissenfels  was  a  native  of  Prussia, 
settled  in  Dutelicss  county  a  few  years  before  the  revolution,  and  was 
naturalized  by  an  act  of  the  general  assembly,  December  20,  1763. 
He  had  fonnerly  held  an  office  in  the  British  service.    His  acquaint- 


148 


NOltTllEKN  INVASION-. 


wliosc  tonus  expire  ab'  the  niicldle  of  Dec',  siud  were 
imniediutoly  to  march  to  Fort  Herkimer,  to  keep  open 
the  commuiiieatiou  with  Fort  Scliuyler.  The  Reg' 
itself  will  remain  at  Schenectady,  niitil  a  competent 
Hiipply  of  I'rovisions  can  he  procured  for  the  garrinon 
at  Fort  Schuyler  during  the  winter,  and  to  escort  it 
niK  A  very  iu(;onsiderable  part  of  the  wupplies  for 
this  service  is    yet  provided,   and   unless  i)articular 

unco  with  military  ;vffiiir8,  iind  liis  attiicliinfiit  for  tlio  Contincntul 
cause,  led  to  his  early  employment  in  revolutionary  army.  He 
Avas  a|)i)ointca  a  lieutenant  colonel  of  the  ad  New  York  battalion, 
Marcli  8,  n;fl,  and  was  mlm  juently  commissioned  twice  with  the 
same  rank,  in  command  of  regiments  of  levies  raised  for  the  defense 
of  the  frontiers.  He  was  aj)i)()inte(l  hy  the  commander  in  chief  to 
command  the  3d  New  York  battalion  and  fought  at  White  Plains  • 
acconii)anied  the  army  through  New  Jersey,  and  assisted  in  the 
capture  of  the  Hessians  at  Trenton.  He  was  present  with  this 
regiment  at  the  surrender  of  Burgoyne,  and  in  the  battle  of 
Monmouth,  with  fi.xed  bayonets,  executed  an  order  greatly  to  his 
honor,  and  to  the  credit  of  the  troops  he  conunanded.  He  accompa- 
nied the  expedition  of  General  Sullivan  in  1771),  and  fought  gallantlv 
m  the  bi-.ttle  of  Newtown. 

Like  many  other  public  servants  he  became  impoverished  hy  the 
war,  and  although  he  received  commutation  certitieates  for  five  years 
pay,  his  necessities  compelled  him  to  dispose  of  them  for  a  trifle,  and 
111  1787  and  179;},  special  legislation  was  granted  for  his  relief  The 
treasurer  was  by  this  action  authori/ed  to  li(piidate  In  ,  debt  due  to 
the  state,  upon  such  principles  as  might  appear  just,  so  as  to  enable 
him  to  obtain  the  benefit  of  an  act  of  insolvency,  the  state  taking  its 
chances  with  his  other  creditors. 

He  became  the  lessee  of  a  forfeited  estate  of  George  Folliott  in 
Amenia,  but  subseciuently  removed  to  New  Orleans,  was  appointed 
to  an  humble  olHce  in  th'^  volice,  and  died  there  in  August,  180«, 
aged  seventy-eight  years,  ii.  isys,  his  daughter  petitioned  congress 
for  compensation  for  his  services,  but  without  success.  In  balloting 
for  hinds  in  the  military  tract,  Lieut.  Col.  Weissenfels  drew  five 
lots,  of  si.K  hundred  acres  each;  but  the  patents  were  issued  to 
another  party,  and  he  probably  derived  but  little  benefit  from  them. 


NOUTHEUX  INVASION. 


14U 


attention  is  paid  to  this  buninesH,  an  tlie  Hcason  for 
water  transportation  in  tlie   course  of  ji   month  will 
bo   over,  and   it  will    be   impossible   to   forw''   it  by 
land,    tlic   post  must,  in   the   course   of  the   winter, 
be    abandoned.      The    newspaper   will    give   you    u 
pretty  just  account  of   the   progress   of  the   oiwrny 
on  the  frontiers,  except  as  to  the   devastation   com- 
mitted by  them,  which  it  might  not  be  so  prutlent  to 
publish.     They  luive  destroyed  at  least  200  dwellings, 
and  150,000  bushels  of  wheat,  with  a  proportion  of 
other  grain  and  forage,  though  by  the  rapid  pursuit 
after  them,   a   considerable   tract  of  country,  which 
would  share   the   same   fate  was   saved.     I  shall    be 
happy  in  rendering  you  any  assistance  in  my  power, 
in   the   execution  of  your  important   command,  but 
believe   me   Si'-    the   distress   of  this   state   is  such, 
that  unless  those  who  have  experienced   less  of  the 
war,  make  greater  exertions   than   they  have  lately 
done,  there  will  be  great  ditHculties  in  maintaining 
your  post. 

I  find  Weissenfels'  Regt  exceedingly  deficient  in 
point  of  clothing,  for  the  climate  to  which  they 
[are]  destined.  I  should  have  been  glad,  therefore, 
if  some  other  Reg'  better  provided  could  have  been 
ordered  for  that  (bity,  especially  as  I  find  from  this 
consideration,  and  because  the  troops  of  this  state 
conceive  it  a  hardship  to  be  obliged  perpetually 
to  garrison  that  post,  it  is  extremely  disagreeable 
to  them.     If  the   direction  of  this  matter  does  not 


i 


i' 


Ka 


150 


NOKTIIEKN  INVASION. 


li«^'     vvit'  ,1    hIuiH    bo    obliged    by    your    coiu- 

muiiifntiti.'T  this   information   to  his  Excellency   the 

communtler  in  chief. 

I  remain  with  the  Oroatest  Respect  &c. 

Geo:  Oli.nxon. 
Tho  lion"'  1 

Major  Gen'  llc.uh.  J 


Letter  from  General  Ten  Broeck  to  Govemm-  Clinton. 


Sir 


Albany,  80"  Octo.,  1780. 


I  wrote  your  Excellency  yesterday,  since  whi(>h,  I 

have  received  accounts  which  seem  to  contra;! let  those 

of  Col.  Van  Woert  sent  you.     The  enemy  had  not 

landed,  but  are  still  near  Skeenesborough.     Whether 

they  will  come  into  the  country  is  uncertain.     I  have 

countermanded  the  orders  issued  in  consequence  of 

Col.  Van  "Woert's  information,  and  directed  the  whole 

brigade  to  be  ready  to  miuch  at  the  shortcdt  notice. 

I  remam  your  Excellency's 

Most  Humble  Servt., 

_.  _  Ab"  Ten  Broeck. 

His  Excellency,  George  Clinton. 


■I      V 


II 


!« 


Ml 


'OLiSS?':'" 


lilii 


NOKTIIKIIN  INVASION. 


161 


Ldtrrfrom  Ooccmor  Clinton  to  Ommd  WttshmytiW. 


t. 


rouGiiKEEi'SiK,  Octr  80'*,  1780. 
Dear  Sir: 

My  last  letter  was  flated  at  Albany,  and  commtmi- 
catod  the  disagreeable  intelligence  of  the  destruction 
of  Schoharie  and  part  of  Balls  Town,  ab'  12  miles  N.  E. 
of  Schenectady,  since  which  I  have  not  been  able  to 
write  to  your  Excellency. 

As  I  then  proposed,  I  immediately  left  Albany,  in 
order  to  take  the  necessary  measures  for  checking  the 
further  incursions  of  the  enemy. 

On  my  arrival  at  Schenectady,  I  was  advised  that 
different  parties  of  the  enemy  at  Schoharie  and  Balls 
Town,  had  left  those  places,  the  former  moving  towards 
the  Mohawk  river,  and  the  latter  shaping  their  course 
towards  Sacondaga. 

Gen'  Van  Rensselaer  had  arrived  at  Schenectady 
before  me,  at  the  head  of  about  four  or  five  hundred 
militia,  with  orders  to  act  according  to  emergencies. 
On  receiving  this  intelligence,  I  immediately  moved 
up  the  river,  in  hopes  of  being  able  to  gain  their 
front,  but  this  proved  impracticable,  as  their  route 
was  much  shorter,  and  their  troops  were  enured 
to  marching.  They  reached  the  river,  at  the  con- 
fluence of  the  Schoharie  Kill,  ab'  six  miles  ahead 
of  him,  and  recommcncod  tlioir  dovastiitions  in  that 


fV'n 


i 


1   ! 


I    ! 


r 


152 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


fertile  couutiy,  by  burning  the  Iiouhcs,  and  destroying 
with  ni.irk.s  of  the  greatest  barbarity,  every  tiling  in 
tlieir  way. 

Under  these  circumstances,  I  was  exceedingly  per- 
plexed. The  militia  under  General  Van  Ilensselaer, 
wore  inferior  in  number  to  that  of  the  enemy ;  the  few 
I  had  with  me  were  too  far  in  the  roar  to  sustain  them, 
and  not  much  could  be  expected  from  the  militia  of 
the  country  through  which  the  enemy  passed,  their 
whole  attention  being  engaged  in  the  presentation  of 
their  families,  and  the  levies  were  necessarily  very 
much  dispersed  at  the  different  posts,  to  cover  the 
fi'ontier  settlements  against  the  incursions  of  small 
parties.  Gen'  Van  Rensfeelaer,  however,  continued  to 
move  on,  and  being  soon  after  joined  by  Col°  Dubois, 
with  between  three  and  four  hundred  levies,  and  60  of 
the  Oneida  Indians,  pursued  the  enen\\  with  vigor. 
He  came  up  with  them,  and  attacked  them  at  Fox's 
Mills  ^  (2(>  miles  from  whei-e  the  enemy  first  struck  the 
river),  about  sunset.  After  a  considerable  resistance 
they  gave  way  and  fled,  with  precipitjition  leaving 
behind  them  their  baggage,  provisions,  and  a  brass 
three  pounder,  with  its  ammunition.  The  night  came 
on    too    soon    for   (is    to   avail    ourselves   of  all   the 


'Fox's  mills  were  a  grist  mill  ami  saw  mill,  on  the  cnst  side  of 
Garoga  i  reck,  near  the  Palatine  church,  and  twenty  or  thirty  rods 
ahovc  the  present  mills  of  C.  Y.  Edwards.  They  1)elonged  to  Philip 
Fox.  Some  years  since  in  clearing  away  the  rubhish  on  Ihe  site  of 
the  mills,  some  charred  wheat,  the  result  of  the  fire  in  1780,  was 
lmm\.— Litkf  of  J.  ]{.  Simiiw. 


NOKTllKRN  INVASION. 


153 


advantages  wliich  we  liad  reason  to  promise  ourselves 
from  this  action.  The  enemy  took  advantage  of 
passing  the  nver,  at  a  ford '  a  little  above,  where  they 
again  collected  and  renewed  their  march  up  the  river 
with  great  celerity,  and  it  became  necessary  for  our 
troops,  who  had  marched  upwards  of  thirty  miles 
without  halting,  to  retire  from  the  ground,  to  refresh 
themselves. 

The  pursuit  was,  however,   resumed  early  in  the 
morning  after  the  action,  and   the  enemy  so  closely 
pushed,  as  to  prevent  their  doing  any  further  mischief. 
The  morning  after  the  action,  I  arrived  with  the  militia 
under  my  immediate  command,  but  they  were  so  beat 
out  with  fatigue,  liaving  marched  at  least  50  miles  in 
less  than  24  hours,  as  to  be  unable  to  proceed  any 
further.     I  therefore  left  them,  and  put  myself  at  the 
head  of  the  advanced  troojis,  and  continued  the  pursuit 
till  within  about  15  miles  of  Oneida,  and  if  we  could 
possibly  have  procured  provisions,  to  have  enabled  us 
to  have  pursued  one  or  two  days  longer,  there  is  little 
doubt  but  that  we  might  have  succeeded,  at  least  so 
far,  as  to  have  scattered  their  main  body  and  made 
many  i>risoners.     But  there  was  no  supplies  but  such 
as  I  was  obliged  to  take  from  the  inhabitants  on  our 
route,  and  these  were  inade(iuate,  and  the  collection 
of  them   attended   with   delay,    nor  could   the   pack 
horses,   with  the   small   quantities,  procured    in   this 


'Near  the  present  dam  lor  a  canal  feeder  below  St.  Jolinsvillc 
20 


w 


;'  n 

if    r  i 


u 


r 

if 


i:t 


i^ 


;    ^ 

f 


^i    :^ 


154 


NOKTIIKUN  INVASION. 


disagreeable  manner,  overtake  us  in  so  rapid  a  march 
through  a  perfect  wilderness. 

I  was  tlierefore  obliged,  tlio'  reluctantly  to  return, 
most  of  the  troops  having  been  near  two  days  uttei-ly 
destitute,  and  unable  to  proceed.  Sir  John,  Brandt 
and  Butler,  immediately  after  the  action  at  Fox's 
Mills,  left  their  troops,  and  with  a  party  of  Indians, 
on  horseback,  struck  across  the  country,  and  went 
towards  Oneida,  taking  their  wounded  with  them. 
Wo  discovered,  where  they  joined  their  main  body 
again,  near  the  waters  of  the  Susfiuehanna,  six  miles 
on  this  side,  Avherc  we  quitted  the  pursuit.  Brandt 
was  wounded  through  the  foot. 

The  enemys  force  under  Sir  John,  from  the  best 
account  I  liave  been  able  to  collect,  amounted  to  750 
picked  troops  from  the  20th  and  34th  British  reg", 
Hessian  Yaugers,  Sir  John's  Corps,  Butler's  Rangers 
and  Brant's  Corps  of  Indians  and  tories,  and  the 
party  that  appeared  at  Balls  Town  of  ab'  200  chiefly 
British  and  by  some  accounts  it  appears  they  intended 
to  form  a  junction  at  Johns  Town. 

In  the  ditferent  skirmishes,  a  considerable  number 
of  the  enemy  were  killed;  the  exact  amount  I  am  not 
able  to  ascertain.  We  have  taken  ab'  40  prisoners,' 
recovered  most  of  those  they  had  taken  from  us  at 


>  On  the  liOth  of  October,  Oovcnior  Clinton  forwarded  thirty-one 
prisoners  under  tlie  cure  of  Cuptahi  Henderson  to  lie  secured  in  the 
provost  at  Fislil<ili.  They  were  receipted  for  by  Daniel  C'lapp, 
captain-lieutenant  in  charge— CltHtaii  Pnpcts,  3,!{31,  A, 


■1?' 


NOKTIIEKN  INVASION. 


155 


Schol.arie  and  other  places  with  the  negroes  oattle  and 
phnider.  Onr  principal  loss  is  Coll  Brown  of  the  Bay 
Levies.  He  by  false  intelligence,  was  led  into  the 
fire  of  the  whole  body  of  the  enemy  and  fell,  with  39 
of  his  and  the  militia  and  levies  of  this  state,  and  two 
made  prisoners. 

The  account  I  formerly  transmitted  your  Excellency 
respecting  the  enemy  to  the  northw"  are  as  tar  as  I 
have  since  been  able  to  learn,  nearly  true.  The  little 
post  and  garrison  of  Fort  Ann,  appeared  to  me  to 
h»vo  been  surrendered  through  treachery  or  cowardice. 
Cap'  Chipman,  the  commanding  otiicer  of  Foi-^ 
George,  having  on  the  first  alarm  sent  our  hi ,  whole 
garrison,  (supposing  the  enemy  to  <'oi}f.i  '.  of  only 
ab'  30  Indians  and  lories  oidy),  x-  pt  14  men 
obtained  a  very  honorable  capitulation,  before  he  could 
be  induced  to  surrender. 

The  losses  ve  have  sustained  by  these  ditferent 
incursions  of  the  enemy,  will  be  most  severely  felt. 
They  liavc  destroyed,  on  a  moderate  computation, 
200  dwellings,  &  150,000  bushels  of  wheat,  with  a 
proportion  of  other  grain,  and  forage.  The  enemy  to 
the  northw'"  continue  in  the  neighborhood  of  Crown 
Point,  and  the  inhabitants,  in  consequence  of  their 
apprehensions  of  danger,  are  removing  from  the 
northern  parts  of  the  state.  Coll.  Gansevoort,  Ijy  the 
advice  of  Gen'  Ten  Broeck,  marched  to  cover  that 
part  of  the  country,  &  Coll"  Weissenfels  marched  U, 
Schenectady,  where  his  reg*  will  continue  to  escort  a 


^     H^' 


'V 


166 


NOKTIIEHN  INVASION. 


I  ■( 


H 


full  Hupply  of  i)rovisioiiH  to  Fort  Scliiiylor,  u  vory 
iiK'onsidorable  ])art  of  wliich  is  as  yet  provided,  and 
unlesB  particular  uttoiition  is  paid  to  tliis  buHiiiess,  (as 
tlic  season  for  water  transportation  in  the  coiir"  of  a 
month  will  be  over  and  it  will  be  impossible  to  forw* 
it  by  land),  the  post  must  in  the  course  of  the  winter 
be  abandoned.'  The  levies,  incorporated  in  this  reg't 
whoso  times  expire  ab'  the  middle  of  December,  were 
immediately  to  march  to  Fort  Herkimer,  to  keep  open 
the  conimnnication  of  Fort  Schuyler  with  the  country. 
This  rogm'  with  the  others  of  this  state,  are  so  exceed- 
ingly destitute  in  point  of  clothing,  (notwithstanding 
every  attempt  of  the  state  to  supply  them),  that  1  could 
have  wished  some  other  reg'  better  provided  ag"  the 
severe  climate  had  been  ordered  to  gar'ison  that  jiost, 
especially  as  I  find  from  this  consideration,  and 
because  the  troops  in  this  state  conceive  it  an  hardship 
constantly  to  garrison  it,  tins  duty  is  become  extremely 
disagreeable  to  them. 

I  forgot  to  mention,  that  when  we  arrived  at  Fort 
Herkimer,  a  letter  Avas  dispatched  to  Major  Hughes 
command"  at  Fort  Schuyler,  giving  him  an  ace'  of  the 
force  and  route  of  the  enemy,  and  of  the  boats  lying 
at  Onondaga  lake,^  that  he  might,  if  he  found  it 
consistent  witli  the  safety  of  his  garrison,  send  out  a 
Kmall  party  to  annoy  the  eneni}  on  their  march.    By 


'Fort  Schuyler  Imving  lu't'ii  injured  i)y  Are  a  d  flood,  was  finally 
abandoned  in  tlic  spring  of  1781. 

'  Tills  was  doubtless  intended  for  Oneida  lake. 


H*     t<3j 


|l   i 


NcmTUEKN   INVASION. 


167 


luH  letter  to  Col"  Malcolm,  I  find  ho  dispatched  a  party 
of  sixty  men  for  this  purpose,  with  orders  to  use  the 
utmost  precaution  ag""  surprise,  or  an^  thing  that 
might  prevent  their  returning  to  the  fort.  Since  my 
return  from  Albany,  a  report  prevails,  that  this  party 
was  ambushed  by  the  enemy  and  defeated;  but  from 
Major  Hughe's  cautious  orders,  and  as  I  have  no 
official  ace*",  I  do  not  credit  it. 

I  have  the  honor,  &<;.,  G.  C, 

r.  S.  The  enemy  bro'  with  them  two  brass  mortara 
for  4|  shells,  which  they  concealed  in  their  route  from 
Schoharie.  From  some  discoveries,  we  are  in  hopes 
of  finding  them.' 


Letter  from  Goccrnor  Clinton  to  General  Washington. 

PoKiEPSiE,  Ocr  31.  1781. 
Sir: 

I  have  to  acknowledge  the  Rec'  of  your  Excellency's 
circular  letter  of  the  18th  Inst,  covering  a  return  of 
the  troops  credited  to  this  state  and  also  your  letter 
of  the  ilst,  enclosing  Mr.  Duer's  letter,  with  the 
Information  given  respect"  Mr.  Smith.^ 

» Wc  are  informed  by  Mr.  T)ioniiis  Macliin  of  Albany,  that  one  of 
these  wua  found  sonic  ton  years  afterwards,  and  made  up  into  spoon 
moulds. 

» Joshua  H.  Smith,  who  had  lieen  arrested  from  supposed  com- 
plicity in  Arnold's  trenson. 


n 


I 


11 


|l       P  ! 

1  I 


i    K!!i 


i 


'  I  'j. 


158 


NOKTHEKN  INVASION. 


Till'  Leifislature  proviouH  to  its  riHing,  provided  for 
completing  the  quota  of  coiit'  troopn  of  this  state 
during  the  war,  and  charp^ed  me  with  the  execution 
of  it  whenever  it  sliuuld  ancertain  the  number  to  bo 
raised  by  this  state. 

By  the  new  arrangement  of  the  arniy,  a  copy  of 
which  has  hoen  transmitted  to  me  by  the  Presd',  the 
(piota  assigned  this  state,  is  2  Kcg'ts  of  infantry,  and 
one  of  artillery.  From  the  return  transmitted  by 
your  Excellency,  it  would  api)ear,  that  our  deficiency 
is  313:  but  least  I  may  have  misapprehended  the 
return,  or  erred  in  my  calculation,  I  wish  to  have  the 
ninuber  ascertained  by  your  Excellency,  before  I  issue 
my  orders  for  raising  the  men,  especially  as  they  are 
to  be  apportioned  to  the  diiferent  counties,  and  any 
mistake  in  the  aggregate  number  would  be  productive 
of  embarrassment  and  delay. 

The  moment  when  I  am  favored  w"-  your  Excel- 
lency's answer  on  this  subject,  the  business  will  be 
commenced,  and  I  have  little  doubt  that  it  will  be 
effected  iu  due  season.  I  am  unhappy  to  find  that 
Congress  have  left  an  opening  for  temporary  enlist- 
ments in  their  new  arrangement.  Experience  has 
taught  us,  that  there  are  states  who  will  avail 
themselves  of  it,  by  which  our  hopes  of  a  permanent 
army  will  be  defeated. 

I  will  deliver  the  information  respecting  Mr.  Smith, 
to  the  eommis"  for  detecting  conspiracies,  who  will 
be  able  to  make  such  iurpiiries,  as  to  ascertain  the 


:  1  i  i  i! 


/rf 


If 


11 


i 


il        a 

IHBB    ' 

Mik" 

m 

NOKTIIEllN  INVASION. 


ir)9 


truth  of  it.  At  any  rate,  it  may  be  proper  to  direct 
his  removal  from  his  present  residence.  Since  writing 
the  above,  I  rec*  the  enclosed  information  from  Gen* 
Ten  Broeck.  I  have  in  conseipicncc  ordered  out  a 
considerable  body  of  militia  to  that  quarter.  Ganse- 
voort  is  properly  situated  to  aid  in  opposing  the 
enemy. 


His  Excellency 


I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c. 

G.  0. 


Gen'  WashiuiitoH 


} 


Letter  from  Gniernl    Washmgton  to  Governor  Clinton} 

Head  Quarters,  Prackness,  Novemlf  [5,]  1780. 
Dear  Sir : 

I  have  received  your  several  favors  of  the  18th,  30th 
and  31st  ult .  I  congratulate  you  upon  your  safe 
return  from  yuur  late  expedition,  and  upon  the  success 
which  attended  General  Kensselaer's  attack  upon  the 
enemy  in  their  retreat. 

It  is  to  bo  regretted  that  Aour  Excellency  was  not 
near  enough  with  the  reinforcement  to  take  advantage 


'  A  letter  of  tlu;  same  date,  from  General  Washington  to  Governor 
Clinton,  is  printed  in  Si^nrMs  Life  and  Wiitiii(/K  of  W<isfiiiir/(on,  vii, 
381,  but  considerably  abridged  irom  the  one  here  given. 


I'fi 


(if  ■( 


I 


■;  1 


;) 


N()UTIIi:i{\  INVASION. 

of  tlioir  flittiation.  The  damage  which  has  hcoii  done, 
will,  I  four,  ho  Hovei-ely  felt  hy  tlie  puhlio,  as  well  as 
by  iiidividualH.  AVe  had  the  moHt  pleawiig  prospects 
of  foriiiliijLr  <'f>tiMi(h^rid)lc  ina.£ra7,iiie8  of  hreud  from  the 
country  which  haw  boon  laid  wawte,  and  wliicli,  from 
your  Kxcelloncy'rt  letter,  is  so  oxlonmvo,  that  I  am 
upprohenHive  we  shall  1)0  ohllgod  to  bring  Hour  from 
the  southward,  to  support  tlio  troops  at  and  near  West 
Point.  Yon  will  bo  jileaaed  o  give  your  opinion  upon 
the  ((Mantity  of  Hour  that  may  yet,  with  prol)al)ility, 
be  procured  above,  in  the  course  of  tlio  winter,  that  I 
may  form  some  calculation  of  tlio  quantity  which  it 
Avill  be  necessary  to  dra\y  from  Jersey,  I'ennsylvania 
and  Maryland. 

I  am  sorry  that  the  troops  from  your  state  should 
look  upon  it  as  a  hardship  to  do  the  gari-ison  duty  of 
Fort  Schuyler.  I  had  always  allotted  it  to  them,  as 
thinking  it  would  be  agreeable  to  both  officers  and 
men,  to  guard  their  own  ii-ontior,  especially  when  they 
were  not  continued  an  unreasonable  time  upon  the 
tour.  The  frontier  posts  of  Pennsylvania  and  Vir- 
ginia, have  been  constantly  garrisoned  by  their  own 
regiments,  which  have  not  been  relieved  these  two 
years.  The  troops  of  the  line,  in  general,  are  u  point 
of  clothing,  upon  a  footing  with  the  rest  of  the  army, 
which  is  very  bare,  and  which  has  a  poor  jirospcct  of 
being  well  supplied.  But  as  Col  Weissenfeld's  Pesri- 
ment  is  going  to  a  distance  and  where  he  will  not  have 
an  oiiportunity  of  drawing  those  temporaiy  supplies 


NOUTIIKHN  INVASION. 


KU 


which  tho  troops  with  tlio  main  army  Homotiincs  do, 
he       --  iders  to  have  it  as  well  furnished  as  our 

.111'  -  will  admit. 
I  havr  iippoiiitt'd  Briiradlor  General  Cliiifon  to  take 
tlxe  command  in  the  northern  department,'  and  liavo 
ordcied  him  to  repair  to  Alhany  for  tliut  purpose.  I 
am  convinced  ho  will  second  every  measure  which 
may  bo  thought  expodiont,  for  tho  security  of  tho 
frontier. 

I  much   obliged   to  your  Excellency   for  tho 

attention  which  you  promise  to  pay  to  tho  provisioning 
Fort  Schuyler.  I  daily  t  .poet  four  or  five  hundred 
barrels  of  salt  beef  Irom  Connecticut.  As  soon  as 
they  arrive  upon  the  Xorth  River,  part  of  them  shall 
be  sent  up  to  AlNany  forthe  garrison  of  Fort  Schuyler. 
I  desired  CJovernor  Trumbull  to  hurry  them  on,  that 
they  might  be  up  in  this  month. 

I  am  very  happy  to  find  that  the  Legislature  vested 
your  Excellency  with  the  power  of  complying  [with] 
tho  requisitions  of  congress  for  completing  the  new 
army.  T  find  that  the  Resolve  of  the  S"*  of  Oct'  had 
only  reached  you,  and  that  your  calculation  of  tho 
deficiency  of  813  men  had  been  founded  upon  that. 
Congress,  by  a  subsequent  act  of  the  21st  have  made 
some  very  material  and  salutary  amendments,  the 
principal  of  which  are  — giving  halt-pay  for  life  to  the 
oflicers,  confining  the  term  of  service  expressly  to  the 


•  Sparks's  Life  and  Writings  of  Wus/tington,  vii,  279 

21 


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WEBSTER,  NY.  145S0 

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162 


NORTIIEBN  INVASION. 


war,  and  augmentiug  the  number  Oi:'  men  in  each 
Eeg*  to  612  rank  and  file.  I  therefore  state  your  exact 
deficiency  at  449  men,  upon  the  following  principles. 

2  Regiments  of  Infantiy,  Rank  and  file    -    1,224 
1  Reg'  of  Artillery  non  Com*  &  Privates  650 


Rank  and  file  for  the  war,  by  Return 

transmitted 

Already  in  Lamb's  Reg'  which  is  the  one  "» 
which  will  be  apportioned  to  the  state   ) 

Deficiency,        -        -        449. 


1,874 

1,121 

304 

1,425 


This,  your  Excellency  ^vill  be  pleased  to  obsei-ve,  is 
the  deficiency  in  figures  —  but  when  we  come  to  take 
into  the  computation  the  casualties  which  will  happen 
between  this  time  and  the  junction  of  the  recruits, — 
the  number  of  men  sick  in  hospitals,  and  upon  extra 
service,  many  of  the  first,  incurables,  and  of  the  last 
so  detached  that  we  shall  never  find  them.  The 
deficiency  which  there  will  be  in  the  number  of 
recruits  voted,  and  other  unforeseen  deductions,  it  will 
appear  plainly,  that  if  the  assessment  is  laid  at  449 
only,  the  regiments  will  want  very  considerably  of  that 
strength,  which  is  absolutely  necessary  to  make  our 
continental  force  any  ways  adequate  for  the  probable 
services  of  the  next  campaign.  I  would  therefore  beg 
leave  to  recommend  to  your  Excellency,  to  lay  your 


NOHTHEHN  INVASION. 


163 


assessment  at  100  men  more  than  the  apparent 
deficiency,  I  am  convinced  it  will  be  found  cheaper, 
and  in  every  respect  more  eligible  to  compleat  the 
matter  at  one  stroke,  than  to  have  a  second  tax  to  lay. 
Our  affairs  to  the  southward  put  on  a  more  pleasing 
aspect  since  the  defeat  of  Col  Ferguson.  Lord  Corn- 
wallis  was  retreating  precipitately  from  Charlotte,  and 
giving  up  a  fine  district  of  countiy  which  he  had  in 
possession.  But  the  diversion  which  General  Leslie 
v/ill  occasion  by  taking  post  in  Virginia,  Avill,  I  fear, 
operate  against  the  formation  of  the  Southern  army, 
and  will  embarrass  us  on  the  score  of  supplies. 
Another  embarcation  is  preparing  at  New  York, 
which,  I  have  no  doubt,  is  also  intended  for  the  south- 
ward, as,  without  considerable  reinforcements,  they 
must  abandon  their  late  conquests  in  that  quarter. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be 

With  the  greatest  esteem, 
Your  Excellency's 

Most  obed'  humble  serv' 

G.  Washington. 
His  Excell'  Gov'  Clinton. 


il'l!  t 


Jlil 

r 

1 

1 

If 

1  , 

1 

|: 

ir  f 

" 

i!l 

■ 

1G4 


NUKTIIIOKN  INVASION. 


Procccdim/s  of  a  Court  of  Inquir>/  upon  the   Conduct  of 
General  Robert  Van  liensselaer. 

At  a  Court  of  Enqiiiiy  held  at  the  city  of  Albany, 
oil  the  12th  day  of  March,  1781.  To  enquire  into 
the  conduct  of  Brigadier  General  Robert  Van 
Rensselaer,  on  the  Incursions  of  the  enemy  into 
Tryon  County,  in  October  last,  pursuant  to  general 
orders  of  his  Excellency  Governor  Clinton : 

Present, 

Brig'  General  Swartwout.^    President. 

jThomas,^     ' 
Colonels  ^  ^' 


'  Cantine,^ 


■  members. 


The  court  met,  and  adjourned  till  tomorrow  after- 
noon at  5  o'clock. 

Tuesday  March  13""  1781. 

The  court  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 


'Jacobus  Swartwoiit,  of  Fishkill,  Dutcliess  county.  His  rank  as 
brigadier  general  dated  from  Marcli  3, 1780.  General  S.  -A-as  in  the 
assembly  8i.\  years,  and  in  the  state  senate  from  1789  to  1795. 

"Colonel  Thomas  Thomas,  of  Harrison,  Westchester  county, 
appointed  colonel,  May  28,  1778.  lie  represented  his  county  in 
assembly  thirteen  j-eurs,  and  in  the  senate  foiii'  years. 

'Colonel  John  Cantine,  of  Ulster  county,  who  succeeded  Levi 
Paulding  as  colonel,  February  21, 1778,  upon  the  appointment  of  the 
latter  as  judge.  Colonel  Cantine  was  eight  years  in  assembly  and 
seven  in  the  senate.  He  was  elected  to  the  8th  congress,  but  resigned 
before  its  close. 


lit' 


\'-\ 


NOKTUKHN  INVASION. 


166 


Colo :  John  Karpor,'  tlicn  appoiued  before  them  and 
oft'ercd  iu  evidoijco  agaiiiat  General  Rensselaer,  a  copy 
of  a  letter  written  by  John  Lansing  Jun'^  Esq.  by 
order  of  tlio  General,  to  Col»  Lewis  Duboia,*  in  these 
words,  viz'. 

Van  Eps,*  Caohnawaoo,  19'*  Odo.  1780. 

Sir:  We  are  here,  with  a  force  sufficient  to  cope 

with  the  enemy,  but  if  you  can  possibly  cooperate 

with  us,  it  will  in  all'  probability  tend  to  insure  us 

success.      General   Kensselaer  who  commands  here, 


'John  Harper  was  appointed  colonel  of  a  rcgini.mt  of  Tryon 
county  militia,  March  2,  1780,  and  on  the  11th  of  May  following, 
lieutcnaut  colonul  commandant  of  a  rcginu-    if  levies  for  the  defense 
of  the  frontiers.    He  died  in  Harpersfleld,  'Jelaware  county  N.  Y 
November  ?0, 1811. 

'John  Lansing,  Jr.,  at  an  early  period  of  the  war  was  military 
secretary  to  General  Schuyler.  He  wad  afterwards  member  of  the 
legislature  seven  yeavs,  mayor  of  Albany  four  years,  delegate  in  the 
old  congress,  and  iu  1778  member  of  the  convention  for  adopting  the 
Federal  constitution.  In  1790,  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  com- 
missioners for  settling  the  Vermont  controversy,  and  on  the  28th  of 
September  of  that  year,  became  one  of  the  justices  of  the  supreme 
court.  On  the  I5th  of  February,  1708,  he  became  chief  justice,  and 
on  the  81st  of  October,  1801,  chancellor.  In  1804,  his  political  friends 
offered  him  their  support  for  governor,  but  he  declined.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Kent  as  chancellor,  in  1814.  In  1817,  he  was  chosen 
a  regent,  and  in  1820  a  presidential  elector.  He  disappeared  at  New 
York  in  December,  182J,  and  is  supposed  to  have  been  robbed  and 
murdered. 

'Colonel  Dubois  was  appointed  Jujy  i,  1780,  as  colonel  of  a 
regiment  of  levies  to  reinforce  the  army  of  the  United  States.  He 
had  been  previously  lieutenant  colonel  commandant  of  the  0th 
Continental  battalion,  but  resigned  December  28,  1770,  and  was 
succeeded  in  that  office  by  Marinus  Willet. 

♦  In  the  present  village  of  Fultonville,  in  the  town  of  Glen. 


KW) 


NUHTllEUN  INVASION. 


tlicrotbro  lulviscs  you  to  iiuirdi  down  uloiig  tho  Houtli 

sitlo  of  the  river,  with  all  the  men  you  have,  with  as 

niueli  expedition  as  possible,     lie  intends  to  attack 

the  enemy  as  soon  as  the  day  appears.     It  depends 

on  your  exertions  to  favor  this  enterprize. 

I  am  Sir,  yours, 

By  order  of  Gyn'  Rensselaer, 

J.  Lansing,  Jun'. 
Col"  Dubois. 

Colo.  John  Harper  being  then  sworn,  says.  That 
on  the  19th  of  October,  he  was  under  the  command 
of  General  Rensselaer  on  the  Mohawk  river:  That 
ho  commanded  a  party  of  Indians  on  the  south  side 
of  the  Mohawk  River,  east  of  Port  Plane,*  or 
Rensselaer:  That  he  was  under  the  immediate  com- 
mand of  Colo  Dubois :  That  in  the  morning  of  the 
Iflth  Octob'  they  proceeded  down  the  river  until  they 
heard  an  engagement  whicli  happened  on  the  north 
side  of  the  river,  between  a  detachment  of  troops 
under  the  command  of  Colo  John  IJrown,  and  the 
enemy  under  Sir  John  Johnson :  That  upon  hearing 
the  tiring,  Colo  Dubois  ordered  the  greater  part  of  the 
New  York  levies,  under  his  immediate  command,  and 
the  Indians  commanded  by  the  witness,  to  cross  to  the 
north  side  of  the  river  to  support  Colo  Brown's 
det^achment,  when   some  men  of   that    detachment, 


» Fort  Pla!u  stood  on  the  hill  next  west  of  that  on  wliicli  the 
Female  Seminary  stands,  about  half  a  mile  west  of  the  present  village 
of  Fort  Plain,  and  on  the  south  side  of  the  Mohawk  river. 


NORTIIKKN  INVASION. 


167 


which  had  been  defeated  and  dispersed,  came  to  the 
river  and  crossed  it,  and  gave  the  deponent  informa- 
tion of  the  state  of  Colo,  Brown's  jtarty. 

That  upon  hearing  that  Colo.  Brown  was  defeated, 
the  deponent  informed  Colo.  Dubois  of  the  disaster, 
and  that  the  whole  of  the  detachm'  of  levies  and 
Indians  or  part  of  them,  who  had  crossed  to  support 
Colo.  Brown,  recrossed  to  the  south  side. 

That  Colo.  Dubois  then  informed  the  deponent 
tliat  General  Rensselaer  was  below,  and  requested 
him  to  ride  down  to  the  Gen'  and  .idvise  him  of  the 
fate  of  Brown's  detachment,  which  he  accordingly  did. 

That  he  found  General  Rensselaer  halted  about  a 
mile  below  Fort  liensselaer. 

That  he  entreated  the  general  to  march  on :  That 
he  informed  him  there  was  a  ford  near  at  hand,  about 
knee  deep,  where  the  troops  might  cross:  That  he 
urged  the  general  to  attack  tlie  enemy  at  all  events : 
That  the  general  informed  him  he  did  not  know  the 
enemy's  numbers,  nor  the  route  they  intended  to 
take :  That  he  told  the  general  that  if  the  enemy  took 
the  same  route  which  they  did  when  they  came,  they 
could  do  U8  no  more  injury  than  they  had  already 
done,  or  if  he  should  go  thro'  Johnstown,  they  would 
hurt  their  friends  and  not  ours. 

That  the  general  then  told  him,  that  he  would  sro 
to  Colo.  Dubois  and  advise  with  him,  and  that  he 
attended  the  general  there:  Tliat  he  is  ignorant  of 
what  passed  between  Colo.    Dubois  and  the  general. 


I 


ft 

i  I 


.  i 


i  * 


is:    ^1 


108 


NOUTIIKUN  INVASION. 


b»it  that  tho  levies  and  Iiulians  with  some  of  the  Tiyon 
county  militia,  recrosHcd  to  tho  north  side  of  tlio  river, 
either  hy  tho  generals',  or  Colo  Duljois'  orders:  —  tlio 
de[)onent  suppoged  it  to  have  been  hy  tho  Gen'"  order. 

That  while  tho  detachment  under  Col.  Dubois,  and 
the  Indians  &  militia  wore  crossing,  the  Hon'  and  Colo 
Dubois  went  to  Port  Rensselaer  and  there  dined. 
That  they  returned  to  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  there 
stood  at  tlio  ferry '  for  a  considerable  time  after  tho 
levies  and  Indians  had  cronscd :  That  the  deponent 
came  to  the  north  bank  of  the  river  and  hailed  tlio 
Qon',  intreating  liim  for  God's  sake  to  cross,  but  he 
rec*  no  reply. 

That  tho  deponent  believes  the  levies  and  Indiana 
had  all  crossed  about  1  o'clock,  and  that  ho  believes 
it  was  near  three  hours  thereafter,  before  the  imme- 
diate command  of  Genl.  Rensselaer,  (who  had  crossed 
about  a  mile  below),  canie  up  to  the  ferry,  where  tho 
levies  and  Indians  remained  paraded. 

That  when  the  militia  came  up,  the  whole  of  tho 
troops  were  divided  into  three  columns,  and  marched 
to  attack  the  enemy.  Colo  Dubois  with  the  levies 
on  the  right  the  Albany  militia  on  the  left  and  that 
he  does  not  know  who  commanded  tho  central  column, 
composed  of  whites  and  Indians.  That  the  deponent 
commanded  tho  Indiana,  in  advance  of  the  centre 
column. 


•  John  Wnlrod's  ferry,  opposite  Fort  Plain. 


Il.il 


NOHTUKKN  INVASION. 


169 


That  ut'tor  ndvanoiiij?  Homo  (llHtunco,  ho  wuh  met  by 
uii    Induvii   who  iutbrmcd  ]iim  that  the  oiicmy  wore 
near  at  l-aiul,  and  that  tho  cnomy'H  force  waw  about 
four  hunured  wlnto  men,  and  l)ut  few  JudiauH;  wliicli 
tlio  deponent  in  por8on  immediately  communicated  to 
Gen'  ReuBHehier,  tlienat  the  head  of  tho  centre  cohimn, 
and  then  returned  to  his  command,  witliout  receiving 
any  further    orders    from   the  general.     That   after 
advancing  about  lialf  a  mile,  his  party  fell  in  with, 
and  began  to  skirmish  with  the  enemy's  rear  giuird, 
who  were  then  retreating  up  the  river.     That  part  of 
tho  centre  column  also  fell  in  with  that  part  of  tho 
enemy.     That  the  enemy  then   changed  their  front, 
camo  down  tlio  river  and  engaged  our  left,  and  com- 
menced a  regular  and  lieavy  platoon  tiring  on  them  : 
But  that  our  left,  not  being  pressed,  tired  irregularly, 
and  were  beat  back,  but  advanced  again  and  con- 
tinued firing  irregulariy.     That  at  this  juncture,  the 
enemy  attempted  to  gain  and  secure  the  ford.     That 
thereupon  part  of  the  centre  column,  filed  off  to  tho 
right  and  joined  Colo.  Dubois'  detaclun' who  attempted 
to  gain  the  enemy's  left  fiank,  and  the  remainder  con- 
titnied,  with  five  of  the   Indians,   advancing  In   the 
centre.     That  soon  after  a  heavy  fire  commenced,  and 
was  continued  on  the  right,  which  the  deponent  has 
since  been  informed,  haj^pencd  between  Colo  Whiting ' 
and  the  enemy.     That  when  the  firing  on  the  riglit 


'William  W.  Wlilting,  conimisHionod  colonel  June  16, 1778. 
22 


170 


NOHTIIKRN  INVASION, 


commenced,  it  was  quite  (IiihIc,  and  the  detachment 
under  Colo  Dubois  had  gained  the  enemy's  left,  and 
they  were  fording  the  river. 

That  he  was  then  informed  by  Colo  Dubois,  that 
the  general  had  ordered  a  retreat,  and  was  requested  by 
the  Colonel  to  communicate  it  tc  Miyor  Benschoten.* 
That  he  did  not  receive  orders  to  retire,  till  the  enemy 
had  crossed  to  the  south  side  of  the  river.  That  when 
he  went  in  search  of  Major  Benschoten,  he  found 
some  of  the  troops  composed  of  Tryon  militia  and 
levies,  plundering.  That  he  forbid  it,  and  ordered  the 
Indians  to  remain  in  close  quarters,  least  some  accident 
might  happen  to  them. 

Question  by  the  Gcri.  TTow  was  you  informed  that 
the  enemy  had  crossed  ? 

Ansxcer.  When  I  was  in  quest  of  Major  Benscho- 
ten, I  was  informed  by  many  people,  who  were  on  the 
ground,  that  the  enemy  had  crossed. 

Quest.     Did  you  see  me  after  that  ? 

vlns*".    No,  sir. 

Quest.  Did  you  send  mc  any  information  that  the 
enemy  had  crossed  the  river  ? 

Ari^.    I  did  not. 

Quest.  Did  our  troops  engage  the  enemy  as  they 
were  first  formed  and  advanced  ? 

A'iis''.    No. 


'  Elias  Van  Buntschotcn  was  appointed  major  in  Colonel  Dubois's 
regiment  raised  for  the  defence  of  the  frontiers,  July  1, 1780. 


NOHTilKHN  INVASION. 


171 


Quest.  Do  you  not  i-ccollcct  that  you  camo  to  mo 
l)otoi-o  tlio  HkiniiiHhiiif,'  l)i'fraii,  and  mjui'MttMl  that  the 
IiidiaiiH  might  go  in  tho  rear  of  the  centre  column  'i 

Alls".     T  do  not. 

Quest.  Did  you  observe  the  militia  on  the  left  to  bo 
in  great  eonfuHion,  when  the  firing  commenced  'i 

Aiifi'.     I  did. 

Mr.  Wm  Harper,'  being  sworn,  says,  That  ho  was 
at  Schenectady  on  the  evening  of  the  IT""  October, 
when  Gen'  Rensselaer  arrived  there  with  the  militia, 
and  tliey  discovered  the  lights  of  fires  at  the  lower  end 
of  Schoharie,  where  tliey  had  received  information 
that  the  enemy  were  burning.  That  he  was  informed 
the  militia  under  the  general  were  to  marcli  the  next 
morning.  That  the  militia  remained  in  Schenectady 
till  it  was  late  in  tho  morning.  That  the  deponent 
being  impatient,  went  on  to  the  Williger,  about  four- 
teen miles  above  Schenectady,  where  he  received 
information  that  the  enemy  were  burning  at  the 
Cadorotty'  about  a  mile  above  Poi-t  Hunter.  That 
the  express  who   camo   from  Fort  Hunter,   to   Gen' 


' "  Wllliivni  Harper  was  an  active  member  of  the  provincial  con- 
gress, and  after  tlie  war,  was  six  years  a  member  of  the  state  legisla- 
ture. When  Otsego  county  was  formed,  he  was  appointed  one  of  tho 
assistant  judges.  He  lived  to  a  great  agi-,  and  died  a  few  years  since 
at  Milfoi'd,  in  Otsego  county,  retaining  to  the  last  that  strong  desire 
for  information  which  had  characterized  his  public  life."  — ^»n«i»  of 
T)-yon  County,  ed.  of  1831,  p.  155. 

'A  mile  or  two  up  Schohario  creek  on  the  east  side.  Sometimes 
spelled  GmhnighriUi. 


1 


172 


NOimiKUV   INVASION. 


! 


:'M 


KtMiMHcliuT  wiiH  forwiiicU'd  Ity  tlif  |)»>|)',  tliat  tlicOoii' 
und  troojm  hkoh  cuiiic  on.  Tliuf  it  whh  near  HiiiiHet 
when  tlicy  roo"*  Intormatioii  of  tlic  eiu'Tiiy'H  Ix'in^  at 
NVarroiiHhiiHli.'  That  tlie  troopH  vvcro  ordorcd  to  liult 
at  Klli(.tt'8  at  tlu!  Old  KaniiH. 

That  tho  (Jen'  iipplicd  to  tho  dciionont,  to  proi-iiro 
a  roconiioitorliijf  i>arty  to  diHcover  tho  nuiiihi'r,  Hitu- 
ation  and  niovcuicntH  of  tho  enoiny.  That  ho  i)ro(!iired 
them  and  waited  on  the  (Jen'.  That  the  Gen'  told 
hiiu  lie  would  conHult  with  Iuh  tidd  otHooi-s,  and  that 
thereupon  he  Hont  ii  Her^eant,  Win  Wood,  Avith  sevetJ 
or  eight  men  to  reconnoitre  tho  enemy.  That  the 
depon'  accompanied  tho^  pnrty  to  Fort  ITnntcr,  and 
from  thence,  he  with  cne  man  went  to  Antliony's  Noho, 
wliere  tho  enemy  had  their  camp.  That  they  returned 
with  all  possible  dispatch  to  tho  General,  whom  they 
found  advanced  with  the  troops  as  far  as  Qardinier's 
Flatts,"  about  four  and  a  half  miles  above  Fort  TTunter, 
and  twenty-six  above  Schenectady,  about  twelve 
o'clock  at  niglit  or  after. 

That  ho  informed  the  general  of  the  enemy's 
situation,  and  that  the  Gen'  coniinued  advancing  with 
the  troops  to  Van  Eps,  about  half  or  three  fourths  of  a 
mile. 


'  Wnrrcnabush  was  tho  name  applied  to  a  tract  of  some  fifteen 
thousftiid  acres  of  land  mostly  in  tlie  present  town  of  Florida,  ]V[ont- 
goniery  county,  owned  by  Sir  Peter  Warren,  an  uncle  of  Sir  Willianj 
Johnson. 

•  \  short  distance  below  Pnltonville. 


NOHTIiKHN  INVASION. 


173 


Tliftt  tho  doii'   then  onU-ml  U'ttvvA  to  ho   writton 
to   tlio  otHcci-M  (•((imrimidiii^  iit   Fort.   I'huio  or  Kt'iiH- 
Hcliior,  u\u\   Stoiio    Ariibiu   and    tli«'y   were   j^ivcn    in 
(•lmi><o  to  Lt  \Vu\  Wiilliico.     That  tlio  (Jon'  and  troops 
renialnod  at  Van  Kp'n  !)ctvveen  two  and  tlirco  Iioui-h, 
iind  that  Hoon  after  tlio  niurcli  the  (hiy  l)roko.     I'hat 
tho  troopH  marched  nhont  four  inik'H,  to  Peter  Lewis'' 
wliere  tlie  whole  halted  uhout  ton  or  twelve  minntoH 
for  tho  )»urjioso  of  examining  a  priHoncr  taken  by  our 
advance  {)arty.     That  the  troops  were  marched  two  or 
three  milos  to  Putnam's  Lands,  vv'horo  tho  v^hole  body 
halted  a  coiiMideralde  time,   and  the   advance  party 
were  on  or  near  the  jrrronnd  where  tho  enemy  had 
halted  that  night.     That  the   deponent  went  to  the 
Gen'  and   urged   to  him   that   tlio  troops  might  be 
ordered  to  march,  but  the  Gen'  answered  that  he  must 
first  furnish  the  troops   with   cartridges.     That  soon 
after  leave  was  obtained  for  Major  McKinster  with  the 
advance  party  to  march. 

That  while  tho  troops  were  halted  there,  Col.  Louis'' 
had  been  sent  out  to  reconnoitre  wliether  tho  enemy 
did  not  remain  at  the  Nose,  to  ambuscade  Gen'  Rens- 
selaer's troops. 


'  At  Stone  Hid^'c,  near  tlio  west  line  of  the  town  of  Glen. 

'Col.  Louis  Cook,  an  Indian  from  Caughnawaga  village,  near 
Montreal,  who  had  joined  the  American  army,  and  liad  received  a 
commisHJon  as  lieutenant  colonel.  His  Indian  name  was  Atiatoiiha- 
ronkwcn.  He  afterward.s  lived  at  St.  Regis,  lie  died  near  Buffalo, 
towards  tlie  close  of  the  war  of  1812-15.  — Uoui/h'n  Hktory  of  St. 
Lawreiuse  and  hWnklin  Countun,  p.  182. 


174 


NOmUKUN  INVASION, 


Tliat  tlio  adviuico  party  uiulor  Mi.jor  McKiiistor,' 
iiiarcliod  on  to  lamo  CJoni'  Van  Alatync's,  and  that  lie 
and  the  major  discovered  the  enemy  drawn  upon  the 
opposite  Bid"  of  the  river  at  Jo'.mi  Saxe's  liouse.  That 
the  road  at  the  Nose  Avas  very  had,  ho  as  to  render  it 
diftieult  to  come  up  ^\ith  artillery.  That  Major  Mc- 
Kinster's  party  lialtcd  ahout  an  hour  ut  Van  Alstyne's 
Ijetore  tlie  nniin  hody  came  up.  That  as  soon  as  the 
main  hody  arrived,  the  whole  mandicd  ahout  a  mile, 
to  another  Corn'  Van  Alstyne's  ;  and  on  their  arrival 
there  tliey  heard  a  tiring  between  Col°  Browns  detach- 
ment and  tlie  enemy. 

T  .at  the  Gen'  en(|uircd  from  tl\e  deponent  the  best 
place  to  ford  the  river.  That  upon  trial  at  Major 
Yale's  it  was  found  impracticable.  That  they  then 
marched   on  to  Adam  Countryman's  ab'  one  and  a 


'Col.  .Tolm  Mc  Kinstry  wrvcil  with  ivpitUlioii  throiigli  the  war, 
in  whirh  h"  was  rt'pc'iitcilly  and  sovorcly  wounded,  and  sotnc  of  tlui 
enemy's  balls  he  earned  '■■\th  him  to  the  grave.  lie  was  appointed 
a  major  in  Col.  Van  Fuss's  regiment  on  the  2Hth  of  May,  1778,  un<'. 
served  in  this  capaeity  in  the  Alohawk  eainpaign  of  1780.  At 
the  battle  of  the  Cedars,  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  while  serving  as 
captain  in  Col.  Patterson's  regiment,  he  was  twice  wounded  and 
taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians.  Being  selected  for  torture,  he  was 
bound  to  a  tree  and  surrounded  by  faggots,  but  as  the  torch  was 
about  to  be  applied,  hi;  was  ransomed  and  rescued  by  ISrant,  who 
recognized  a  masonic  sign  given  by  Ih-  prisoner.  A  varm  friend- 
shii)  sprung  up  from  this  incident,  and  Brant  roeatedly  visited  his 
protege  atter  the  war. 

Colonel  Mc  Kinstry  retired  to  his  farm  in  Livingston,  Co!;:;"bia 
coni.ty,  after  the  war,  represented  Ins  county  Uvo  years  in  assembly, 
and  died  on  the  0th  of  .June,  1H22,  aged  77  years.  —  Albany  Gazette, 
.Iun(- 18,  1833;  Stoiu'a  Life  of  /Ir.nit,  i,  155,  ii,  VM). 


NOHTHKUNT  INVASION. 


175 


lialf  milos,  wlioro  the  whole  of  tlie  ti-oops  halted  and 
another  party  was  ordered  to  advance. 

That  the  troops  had  been  there  about  half  an  hour 
when  Col"  Harper '  came  to  the  Gen'  and  gave  him  an 
aeco'  of  Colo  Brown's  disaster. 

That  it  was  full  three  hours  from  that  time,  before 
the  troops  under  Gen'  itensselaor  crossed  and  came 
up  to  Walrod's  Ferry.  Tliat  Gen'  Rensselaer  went 
up  to  Walrod's  Ferry  on  the  south  side  of  the  river, 
but  when  the  deponent  knows  not. 

That  the  General  stood  at  the  ferry,  and  was  pressed 
and  intreated  by  him,  Colo  Harper  and  others  to  cross 
the  river,  and  attack  the  enemy,  but  that  he  gave  no 
answer,  nor  came  over,  till  his  militia  had  joined  Colo. 
Dubois'  command. 

That  after  the  troops  had  joined,  they  were  divided 
into  tliree  columns,  the  right  commanded  by  Colo 
Dubois.  That  about  sunset  or  after,  the  eneni}'  came 
down  out  of  the  woods  to  Philau's  orchard,  when  a 
skirmishing  began  between  our  left  and  the  enemy  in 
the  lowlands.  That  our  left  was  muc^<  disordered, 
and  tired  very  irregularly  and  never  were  in  order 
after  the  tiring  commenced. 

That  the  rear  of  our  left  was  about  five  hundred 
yards  from  the  enemy  when  the  front  began  their 
firing  at  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  and  the  whole 
kept  up  a  brisk  fire  towards  the  er.  jmy.     That  he  saw 


'  Colonel  John  Harper. 


176 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


several  officers  (and  particularly  A(l)'  Van  Veghten ' 
of  Colo  Cuylers  reg't),  exert  themselves  to  bring  on 
the  troops,  and  to  prevent  their  running  away,  but 
that  they  were  not  able  to  bring  up  the  men  so  close 
to  action  ae  to  annoy  the  enemy. 

That  the  confusion  took  place  as  soon  as  the  firing 
commenced,  and  that  it  was  pretty  dark  before  it 
cecaed.  That  about  the  time  \/hen  the  firing  on  our 
part  ceased,  the  Dep'  saw  the  Gen'  with  the  left 
column.  That  the  Gen'  informed  him,  that  as  it  was 
dark,  and  dangerous  to  let  the  firing  continue,  least 
our  troops  should  kill  each  other,  he  had  ordered,  or 
would  order  the  troops  out  of  aetiori.  That  he  pressed 
the  Gen'  to  push  the  enemy  while  they  were  crossing 
the  river,  but  the  Gen'  declined  it.  That  it  was  then 
dark. 

That  the  General  observed  to  the  Deponent,  that  he 
was  apprehensive  that  the  enemy  would  surround  our 
troops,  and  desired  the  deponent  to  ride  down  to  the 
river  and  inform  himself  whether  the  enemy  were  not 
attempting  it.  That  he  replied  to  the  Gen',  they  were 
crossing  the  river,  but  in  compliance  with  the  General's 
request  he  rode  down. 

That  the  place  where  the  enemy  crossed  the  river 
is  a  common  ford  and  generally  made  use  of.  That 
when  the  Gen'  told  him,  he  was  resolved  to  call  the 


'  Ilendrick  Van  Vegliton  wiis    apiiointed    adjutant    in    Colonel 
Abraham  (Uiylcr'n  rpgimcnt,  April  4,  1778. 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


177 


men  off,  he  requested  the  Gen'  to  encamp  there  on  the 
low  ground,  the  field  of  action.  But  that  the  General 
replied  he  would  go  to  the  hills,  and  he  with  the 
troops  retired  to  a  hill  ahout  a  mile  from  the  field  of 
action. 

Henry  Glen  Esq'  being  sworn,  says :  That  on  the 
17th  Oct'  about  5  o'clock  p.  m.  General  Rensselaer 
arrived  at  Schenectady  at  the  deponent's  house,  and 
informed  him  that  a  number  of  troops  were  on  their 
march  from  Albany.  That  the  Gen'  appeared  solicitous 
to  procure  horses  to  mount  his  troops  on,  and  expedite 
their  march  to  Fort  Hunter,  to  waylay  the  enemy  who 
were  on  their  way  from  Schoharie  to  the  Mohawk  river. 

That  the  Deponent  as  acting  quartermaster  of  the 
Department  advised  the  Gen'  that  the  most  eligible 
mode  of  procuring  horses  would  be  by  having  the 
inhabitants  of  Schenectady  convened,  which  was 
accordingly  done  in  the  evening.  That  the  Gen'  then 
represented  to  the  inhabitants  that  he  wanted  four  or 
five  hundred  horses  to  mount  his  men  on,  to  go  to 
Fort  Hunter,  for  the  purpose  above  mentioned. 

That  the  Gen'  informed  the  inhabitants,  that  the 
deponent  had  received  an  express  from  Col"  Veeder 
commanding  the  lower  fort  at  Schoharie,  informing 
him  that  the  enemy  had  burnt  and  destroyed  the 
settlements  at  Schoharie,  on  that  day,  and  were  halted 
that  night  at  one  Sidney's,^  about  fourteen  or  sixteen 


'  In  the  present  town  of  Esperance. 
23 


178 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


miles  from  Fort  Htmter.  That  the  distance  from 
Schenectady  to  Fort  Hunter  is  twenty  milea.  That 
the  few  inhabitantrt  who  were  collected,  promised  the 
general  their  horses,  and  that  they  should  bo  sent  to 
the  deponent's  house  by  break  of  day,  next  morning. 
That  it  was  also  proposed  by  Gen'  Rensselaer,  that  in 
case  a  sufHciency  of  horses  could  not  be  procured, 
he  would  take  waggons  to  carry  the  greater  number 
of  the  men  on. 

Quest,  by  Gen'  Bensselaer.  AYcre  the  horses  or 
waggons  ready  as  I  liad  required  ? 

Ans.     They  Avere  not. 

Quest.  Do  you  recollect,  that  as  soon  as  I  arrived 
at  Schenectady,  I  went  to  the  commissary,  and  desired 
him  to  procure,  or  get  in  readiness  that  evening,  pro- 
visions for  the  troops  who  were  coming  on  ? 

Ans.  I  do.  But  the  commissary  had  no  provisions. 
He  sent  out  and  procured  two  beeves,  which  were 
killed  the  next  morning,  but  it  was  late  before  the 
troops  were  served.  The  last  drew  their  rations  about 
eight  o'clock. 

Quest.  Do  you  recollect  my  sending  that  night  to 
Col"  Van  Alstyne'  who  was  at  Nestigona-  to  expedite 


"  Abrnlmm  Van  Alstj'iie  was  appointed  colonel,  April  2, 1773. 

^Ncstigione  is  tlie  name  of  a  land  patent,  in  Saratoga  county, 
granted  to  .lolin  Kosic  and  others,  April  2'),  1708.  It  lay  in  the  rear 
of  a  row  of  farms  fronting  the  river,  and  was  a  mile  in  depth,  in  the 
present  county  of  Saratoga.  The  name  is  sometimes  found  written 
Coniiriiligone,  or  Kukayuna  ;  the  latter  now  limited  to  a  township 
south  of  the  Mohawk  in  Schenectady  county. 


NOKTIIEIIN  INVASION. 


179 


his   marcli   ao   as   to  be   in   town   by  daylight  next 
morning  ? 

A71S.     I  do. 

Quest.  After  the  troops  wore  served  with  provisions, 
did  I,  to  your  knowledge,  make  any  imnecessary 
delay  in  marching  thus  ? 

Ans.     You  did  not. 

Quest.  What  distance  is  it,  between  Nestigiona  and 
Sir  William  Johnson's  old  place  ? 

A71S.  The  distance  between  its  nearest  settlement 
called  Rosendal  and  Sir  W^''  old  place  is  about  nine- 
teen miles. 

Quest.  Had  the  troops  any  time  to  cook  their 
provisions,  from  the  time  tliey  drew  it  till  their  march  ? 

Ans.     They  had  not. 

Court :  Quest.  Had  you  any  intelligence  from  Gen. 
Rensselaer  on  the  day  of  his  march,  after  he  left 
Schenectady. 

A^7is.  Yes.  The  same  evening  an  express  came 
from  the  Gen'  with  a  letter  to  the  governor  dated  at 
Chucktinunda,'  six  miles  east  of  Fort  Hunter  informing 
tlie  Gov'  that  he  liad  halted  to  refresh  his  men,  till 
moon  rise,  when  he  intended  to  march.  Afterwards 
•-an   express   from    the  officer   commanding  at    Fort 


'  The  Cluictanuncla  creek  unites  with  the  Mohawk  opposite  tlie 
present  village  of  Aniatertlani.  The  road  south  of  the  river,  in 
former  times,  instead  of  following  the  hcnd  of  the  river,  here  passed 
up  over  the  hill,  and  thence  in  a  direct  line  to  Fort  Hunter.  This 
road  was  ahout  five  miles  long,  and  passed  nearly  two  miles  from 
the  river. 


180 


Hunte 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


ter  canio  to  mo,  witli  an  acco'  that  Sir  John 
Jolnison  had  that  afternoon  passed  Fort  Hunter  and 
had  destroj-ed  Cadorotliy  on  liis  route. 

Quest.  Are  you  acquainted  with  the  roads  and 
passes  of  Checktinunda  Hill  ? 

Ans.  I  am.  The  road  is  bad,  and  up  a  long  clay 
hill  \vith  a  pretty  close  wood  on  both  sides. 

Colo.  Lowio  Dubois,  being  duly  sworn,  says,  that  on 
the  19'"  October  last,  at  .T,bout  two  o'clock  p.  m.,  ho 
met  Gencal  Rensselaer  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile 
below  Fort  Itensselaer,  and  informed  him  that  Colo. 
Brown  was  defeated,  and  that  the  enemy  were 
advancing  up  the  river.  That  the  general  then 
advised  Avith  lim  where  would  be  the  most  convenient 
spot  to  meet  them :  that  he  told  the  general  tli  e  was 
a  fording  place  Just  by  the  ground  where  the  troops 
then  were,  and  that  in  case  they  crossed  there,  it 
would  expedite  the  pursuit  after  the  enemy  more  than 
if  tliey  crossed  in  the  two  small  boats  above,  Avhich 
would  delay  them  a  long  time. 

That  the  general  then  gave  orders  to  Lt.  Driskill  to 
send  the  artillery  to  Fort  Rensselaer,  and  that  the 
troops  should  cross  immediately.  That  the  deponent 
then  asked  the  general  whether  he  had  dined.  The 
general  replied  that  he  had  not.  That  as  soon  as  the 
general  had  put  the  troops  in  motion,  he  rode  to  the 
deponent's  quarters  in  Fort  Rensselaer  to  take  dinner, 
after  leaving  orders  with  the  officers  to  cross  the  river 
with  all  possible  dispatch. 


NOimiEKN  INVASION. 


181 


That  Lt.  Driskill  was  then  ordoicd  to  leave  his  men 
in  Foi-t  Rensselaer,  to  work  the  artillery  in  case  the 
enemy  should  attack  it,  and  some  of  the  militia  who 
were  in  the  fort,  were  ordered  to  cross  the  river,  and 
Mr.  Lansing  was  sent  down  by  the  general  to  expedite 
the  crossing  of  the  militia. 

That  the  Gen'  and  the  deponent  then  went  down  to 
Wolrod's  ferry,  and  found  that  the  militia  had  not  yet 
come  up.  That  he  sent  several  expresses  to  hurry 
them  on.  That  upon  their  coming  to  the  feriy,  they 
found  several  of  the  militia  who  had  not  yet  crossed, 
but  immediately  passed  the  ferry,  and  then  the  Gen' 
and  the  deponent  crossed  as  quick  as  possible.  That 
about  the  time  of  their  crossing,  they  discovered  from 
the  firing,  that  the  enemy  were  coming  down  out  of 
the  woods  towards  the  river,  at  or  near  Fox's  Mills. 
That  shortly  thereafter  Gen'  Rensselaer's  militia  joined, 
and  the  general  advised  with  him  on  the  most  eligible 
mode  of  attacking  the  enemy.  That  the  plan  of 
attack  was  directed  to  be  in  three  columns.  The 
right  composed  of  levies  comnianded  by  the  deponent, 
to  be  on  the  high  ground;  the  left  composed  of  militia, 
and  commanded  by  Col"  Cuyler,  to  be  on  the  low 
ground,  and  the  centre  to  be  commanded  by  Colo. 
Whiting. 

That  it  was  found  inconvenient  to  march  in  columns 
and  they  were  ordered  to  subdivide  into  sections  and 
so  marched  on  till  they  came  in  sight  of  the  enemy. 
That  the  deponent  rode  down  to  the  Gen'  (then  in  the 


ill 


HI 


182 


NOUTIirUN  INVASION. 


ooiitre  coluiiiii)  iiiul  iiitoniuMl  liim  (liat  tlu'  iMioiiiy 
wore  tormo(l  as  t'olKnvH:  Tliiit  flioir  rung*' I'h  wore  ou 
their  ri_u,li(,  on  tlio  bunk  oftho  rlvcp,  tlio  rogulai*  troopn 
in  the  wntro  on  tlio  fliitts  in  column,  nnd  the  Indians 
uiul  ritlonion  on  tho  loft,  about  ir)0  yards  udvanccd  of 
the  other  troops,  in  an  orehard  near  Kloek'w  liouse. 

That  upon  reeonnoitorina:  the  j-Tonnd,  it  was  found 
inipraetieable  to  form  the  centre  and  left  cohinuis  us 
was  tirst  intendech  That  they  were  thereforo  sub- 
divided into  flujaller  (h^tachnients.  That  thereupon 
u  skirnushinj;  commenced  between  some  seuttering 
Indians  and  white  men,  advanced  of  tho  right  of  tho 
centre  eolnmn  of  the  enemy.  That  tho  deponent  then 
retired  to  his  comniund.  That  Major  McKinstry  in 
pursuance  oftho  General's  orders,  tiled  off  to  the  right 
from  the  centre  and  marched  very  near  the  right 
column. 

That  the  remainder  of  the  centre  column  under 
the  command  of  Colo  Whiting,  advanced  to  tho 
orchard  at  Klock's  house  und  engaged  them.  That 
the  firing  on  the  part  of  the  enemy  was  so  warm,  us 
to  prevent  troops  nnder  Colo  Whiting  f'-om  advancing. 
That  therenpon  the  deponent  ordered  two  companies 
of  his  eolnmn  to  raise  the  summit  of  the  hill  and  firo 
on  the  enemy  in  Haidc,  which  broke  them  and  they 
ran  off.  That  the  deponent  then  marched  on  till  ho 
gained  tho  flank  of  the  enemy's  main  body,  pnrsuant 
to  the  General's  order.  That  it  began  to  grow  dusk 
and  he  discovered  that  his  front  had  got  into  the 


f    1 1   >   ^i 


t  !• 


NOUTIIKim  INVASION-. 


is;{ 


onoiny'8  roar.  Tlint,  tlu-roup.)!.,  he  Diml  I, is  hhmi 
about,  and  nmivlu-<l  in  a  li,u.  down  to  tlu^  iMn«ni.v 
undim-ovoiTd  :  That  ho  ,iravo  onKii'H  for  iiiin^^  platoonn 
from  ri^dit  to  loft,  whon  fli,.  ononiy  l)roko  and  ran  : 
Tliafc  ho  advanood  and  continnod  iirin,i,^  npon  tho  onoiny 
till  ho  diHcovorod  a  firin^r  o„  t\w  roar  of  iiiw  K-fl. 
That  tlndin.sr  it  canio  IVoni  Homo  part  of  onr  (.wn 
militia,  lio  hahod  ]m  mon  ;.nd  rodo  up  to  tho  nnlilia,  and 
mot  with  aonoral  UonnHolaor  on  th(>  h>|'t  oC  tjio  oontro 
oohimn,  whoro  ho  found  tho  nnlilia  iiad  ^nvi-n  way. 

Tliat  it  waH  ho  (hirk  tiiat  ho  oould  not  disoovor  CJon' 
lionssolaor  at  tho  distanoo  of  iivo  paces,  nor  know  him 
hut  IVom  hi.s  voico,  and  that  whon  ho  camo  np  to  tho 
(Jon'  ho  found  his  otforlH  in  vain.  That  lio  infonnod 
tho  (Jon'  that  tho  rlglit  of  tlio  oontro  lino  wore  lirin^r 
on  tlio  lovioH,  who  woro  advanood  a^ainwt  tho  ononiy. 
That  it  wan  thon  propoHod  hy  oithor  tho  Gen'  or  tlio 
doponont,  that  tho  iirin;?  nhonld  ho  onh>rod  (o  coaHo, 
least  our  mon  should  kill  oaoh  othor, 

Tliat  tho  Oon'  ro(picstod  him  to  rido  to  tho  roar  of 
tho  troops  and  stop  thoir  rc^troating,  and  inforni  thorn 
tliat  tho  ononiy  had  rotirod  ovor  tho  rivor.  That  lio 
wont  somo  diHtanco,  and  on  Imh  roturn  informod  tho 
Gen'  that  ho  could  not  o\:crtako  tho  fronts.  'I'hat  tho 
Gon'  iiupiirod  from  him,  whothor  he  know  of  a  good 
]>iooo  of  f-Toinid  h»  (Micamp  on  that  night.  'JMiaf  ho 
thereupon  rooonimondod  a  hill  noar  Klock's  house, 
and  an  ordor  was  sont  to  Major  i{ons<']ioton  (.1"  tho 
levies  to  roturn  to  tho  ground  noar  Klook's  house. 


Hi 


184 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


)      , 


That  on  riding  with  tho  Gen'  he  mentioned  his 
apprehensions,  that  his  men  woidd  want  provisions  for 
the  march  the  next  day.  That  tlio  deponent  then 
recommended  to  tlie  Gen'  a  spot  of  ground  near  Fox's 
where  the  troops  woukl  bo  secure  from  surprise  and 
provisions  might  bo  brought  to  them  from  tho 
baggage  waggons  which  wore  at  Fort  Rensselaer. 
That  part  of  the  levies  were  left  at  Klock's  house,  to 
take  charge  of  the  wounded,  and  of  the  stores  taken 
from  the  enemy,  and  the  remainder  of  the  troops 
retired  to  Fox's. 

That  the  Gen'  immediately  ordered  parties  to  Fort 
Rensselaer  for  provisions  for  the  militia,  and  ordered 
the  deponent  to  hold '  himself  and  the  levies  in 
readiness  to  march  before  daylight  the  next  morning 
in  pursuit  of  the  enemy.  That  in  consequence  thereof, 
he  marched  with  the  troops  about  3  o'clock  in  the 
morning. 

Question  hy  the  court.  Did  the  Gen',  in  your  opinion, 
do  every  thing  in  his  power,  to  annoy  and  repel  the 
enemy,  and  save  the  country  from  desolation  ? 

Ans'^,  Yes  sir,  while  I  was  with  him,  I  saw  nothing 
wanting  in  him. 

Quest.  b>i  court.  Did  the  Gen'  at  any  time  discover 
the  least  want  of  personal  bravery  and  firmness  in  the 
course  of  the  action,  and  transactions  of  the  19th 
October  last? 

An^.    He  did  not,  but  the  contraiy. 

Quest,  by  court.    Did  you  know  that  the  place  where 


I! 
I 


NOUTIIKUN  INVASION. 


185 


tho  enemy  crossed  the  river  wus  a  common  tbrding 
place  ? 

Ans'-.  I  did  not,  nor  was  it.  Tho  bank  at  tho 
place  where  they  crosHed  was  breast  high  from  the 
water,  and  the  water  was  deep. 

Qucsf.  "Was  it  very  dark  on  the  evening  of  tho 
action  'i 

Ans'-.  1  do  not  think  it  was  fifteen  minutes  after 
the  firing  commenced,  before  it  was  so  dark  as  to 
render  it  impossible  to  distinguish  one  person  from 
another  at  a  dist'     e  of  ton  paces. 

Tho  court  adjourned  till  to-morrow  at  7  o'clock. 

The  court  mot  pursuant  to  adjournment.  Mr. 
Sampson  Dyckman  being  sworn,  says.  That  he 
joined  General  Rensselaer  about  five  miles  above 
Sehenectfldy,  at  three  or  four  o'clock  on  the  afternoon 
of  the  day  the  Gon'  marched  from  Schenectady. 
That  when  lie  came  up  with  the  Gen'  tho  troops  were 
marching  with  expedition,  and  continued  so  till 
evening,  being  then  about  fourteen  or  sixteen  miles 
from  Schenectady,  where  they  halted  till  moan  rise. 

That  just  as  the  moon  rose,  the  Gen'  came  to  tho 
encampment  and  ordered  the  troops  to  prepare  and 
march  immediately,  and  that  in  five  minutes  they 
moved.  That  tho  Gen'  informed  him  the  enemy  were 
some  distance  ahead  and  that  he  expected  his  troo[)s 
would  30on  tall  in  with  them.  That  the  road  over 
Chucktinunda  llill  was  very  bad,  miry  and  deep,  which 
impeded  the  march.  That  thoy  arrived  at  Fort  Hunter 
24 


18fi 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


at  about  12  o'clock  and  croHHod  instantly  in  n  hcow,  on 
waggons  and  on  hoi-Hoback,  and  [(njcecdod  in  thoir 
march  without  delay,  Tiiat  when  tho  roads  wero 
good,  tho  troops  marched  very  fast,  but  whoro  tho 
roa<ls  wore  bad,  thoy  wore  delayed  by  tho  nrtillory  and 
waggons. 

Question  1)1/  General  Jlenssiiaer.  Did  not  you  como 
to  mo  with  a  request  that  tho  troops  might  not  bo 
ordered  to  march  so  fast  ? 

Anif,  I  did  wait  on  you,  at  tho  instance  of  Major 
Schuyler  and  others,  who  said  tho  men  would  not  bo 
fit  for  action,  in  case  they  wero  marched  so  fast.  You 
then  told  mo,  that  tho  enemy  wero  ahead  uestroying 
tho  country,  and  tho  men  must  bo  marched  fasl,  at  all 
events,  to  come  u[>  with  them.  Many  of  tho  men 
wero  much  fatigued  l>y  ten  o'clock  next  morning  so 
as  to  render  it  necessary  for  them  to  go  on  horecback 
and  in  the  waggons. 

Tho  court  adjourned  till  6  o'clock  p.  m. 

The  court  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Major  Lewis  R.  Morris,  being  sworn,  says,  That 
he  overtook  Gen'  Rensselaer  at  Mr  II.  Glen's  at 
Schenectady,  on  the  18th  October  last,  at  about  12 
o'clock  and  joined  liim  as  a  volunteer  aid-dc-camp. 
That  ho  was  there  ordered  by  the  Gen'  to  assist  Mr 
Le  Roy,  his  Major  of  lirigado  in  getting  the  trooi ii 
out  of  town. 

That  the  troops  marched  out  of  town  about  one  ui\d 
a  half  miles  on  the  low  lands  where  they  were  formt.' 


NOUTHKHiV  INVASION. 


187 


and  oidtTiul  to  II  irch  into  scctionM  to  tJio  Woostyne 
ut  Mr  Vhu  Eps,  about  iiino  inilcH  from  Hchenectatly, 
wlion*  tlioy  haltoci  to  rofroah  theniHclvcH  for  a  vory 
short  tiinc,  and  then  inarclied  to  Sir  Williams  old 
place.'  That  it  waH  thou  dark,  and  the  troops  haltod 
till  moon-rise  al)out  ton  or  olovcn  o'clock.  The 
deponent  was  then  informed  that  the  Gen'  rnd 
field  otficors  on  consultation,  tho't  it  imprudent  and 
dangerous  to  march  over  the  cniicktinutida  Hill  in  the 
night  till  moon  rise,  and  the  troo[)s  wore  accordingly 
haltod  on  the  side  of  the  load. 

That  the  deponent  thereafter  attended  the  advanced 
corp  under  Lt.  Col.  Pratt'  and  Major  McKinstor. 
That  about  moon  rise,  the  Gen'  ordered  the  tioops  in 
motion,  and  marched  to  Fort  Hunter,  and  that  the 
troops  immediately  crossed  the  river,  or  Schoharie 
creek  in  scows,  and  wliile  the  Gen'  was  examining  two 
deserters  from  the  enemy.  That  the  troops  were 
lialted  on  the  west  side  of  Sclioharie  creek  till  the 
artillery  came  up,  wliich  liad  gone  a  different  route  and 
joined  them  in  a  short  time. 

That  the  troops  then  marched  on  without  delay  to 
Van  Eps,  wliero  they  arrived  about  four  o'clock  and 
halted  not  more  than  an  hour.  That  during  that  halt, 
letters  were  written  by  order  of  the  Gou'  to  Col"  Dubois 
and  Col"  Brown,  informing  them  of  his  approach  with 


'  Three  miles  west  of  the  present  village  of  Ainstcrdaiii. 
"David  Pratt,  anpoiiitcd  lieutenant  colonel,  Nov.  4tli,  1778. 


188 


NOKTIIEUN  INVASION. 


11  body  of  troops,  and  that  these  letters  were  given  in 
charge  to  a  Mr.  AVallace. 

That  soon  after  the  letters  were  dispatched,  the 
troopp  -vero  pnt  in  motion  ;  that  the  day  then  began  to 
dawn.  That  the  roads  were  very  bad  and  the  troops 
comjilained  of  being  very  much  fatigued.  That  the 
whole  body  i;:archod  about  four  or  five  miles  and 
halted  at  the  ruins  of  a  house,  for  a  few  minutes  for 
the  purpose  of  examining  a  prisoner  takeii  that  night. 
That  the  deponent  then  again  Joined  the  advance  corps 
and  procee '  d  on  to  a  bridge,  where  he  and  Lt.  Col. 
Pratt  discovered  a  pai-ty  of  the  enemy  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river.  That  the  advance  corps  halted  till 
the  deponent  rode  down  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  to 
the  Gen',  (who  was  advancing  with  the  troops),  to 
inform  him  of  the  discovery  of  the  enemy.  Tliat  as 
that  party  of  the  enemy  was  out  of  the  reach  of 
musket  shot,  the  Gen'  orderod  up  a  piece  of  artillery, 
whereupon  the  enemy  d'spersed.  That  the  whole  of 
the  troops  moved  on  to  the  south  side  of  the  river 
opposite  Major  Fry's'  where  (as  the  deponent  had 
understood)  the  Gen'  intended  to  cross  the  troops,  but 
that  on  his  arrival  there,  he  found  it  impossible.  That 
it  was  then  between  eight  and  ten  o'clock. 

That  a  firing  was  then  heard,  which,  from  its 
direction,  was  supposed  to  be  at  Oswegatchie,^  and 


'  Now  opposite  Canajoharui  villiige 

■^A  settlement  a  short  distance  nortlieast  from  Stone  Arabia,  in 
Palatine. 


NOHTIIKRN  INVASION. 


189 


which  ttrtoi'wanlH  proved  to  h'.vvo  boon  Colo  Brown's 
rencounter  with  the  enemy. 

That  the  advanced  corps  not  being  incumbered  with 
any  waggons  or  artilK'ry  moved  on  exi)e<HtiousIy. 
Tliat  with  the  mniii  body  were  one  ammunition 
waggon  and  two  piet-es  of  artilU>ry,  and  that  to  the 
best  of  his  knowli'dge,  the  baggagt!  waggons  were  in 
the  rear  of  the  wJiole. 

That  tlio  main  body  moved  on  to  a  house  about  a 
mile  below  Fort  J{ensselacr.  That  it  was  then 
between  10  and  1  o'clock.  That  tlie  troops  halted 
there,  and  the  Gen'  then  rec""  information  of  Col" 
Brown's  defeat.  That  Col"  Dubois  and  Col"  Harper 
there  waited  on  the  Gen'. 

That  the  troops  were  ordered  to  refresli  themselves, 
and  the  Gen'  gave  orders  for  their  crossing  the  ford  as 
soon  as  they  had  relVeshod  themselves. 

That  after  ilelivering  the  orders  fo'-  that  purpose, 
the  Gen' went  with  Colo  Dubois  to  Fc.t  RensHclaer. 
That  the  Deponent  rec"*  orders  from  the  Gen'  to  go 
and  assist  Mr.  Le  Hoy  in  getting  tlie  tr()oi)s  over  the 
ford.  That  ho  accordingly  exerted  himself  in  assisting 
Mr  Le  Koy  to  get  the  troops  over  the  river. 

That  the  troops  refused  to  ford  the  river,  and 
waggons  were  dro\o  into  it,  to  facilitate  their  jiassago. 
That  it  was  about  an  hour  after  the  troops  camo  to 
the  ford  before  they  began  to  cross,  and  that  it  was 
between  two  and  three  hours  from  their  first  arrival 
before  they  were  all  over. 


190 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


;(    ' 


That  they  crossed  this  ford  in  diftereut  ways.  In 
some  instances  the  waggons  were  drove  into  the  river, 
behind  each  other,  and  the  troops  passed  from  one  to 
the  other  by  wading  on  t^e  tongues.  That  Capt° 
Driskill  came  down  to  the  ford,  with  orders  from  the 
Gen'  to  hasten  the  en  ^sing  of  the  troops,  and  that 
Ml*.  Lansing  also  came  and  exerted  himself  in  getting 
them  over  the  river. 

That  after  they  had  all  crossed,  they  were  marched 
with  dispatch  to  the  Ferry  where  they  joined  the 
levies  and  Indians.  That  the  General  did  there  take 
the  command  of  tlie  whole. 

That  fter  he  had  joined,  the  whole  were  divided 
into  three  columns ;  the  right  composed  of  levies,  and 
the  left  and  centre  of  militia.  That  the  Oneida 
Indians  marched  between  the  left  and  centre  but 
sometimes  changed  their  situation. 

That  the  troops  marched  in  this  order  in  pursuit  of 
the  enemy  for  some  miles.  That  the  centre  and  left 
columns  were  then  subdivided,  and  continued  their 
march. 

That  Colo  Hai-pcr  came  to  the  Gen'  and  advised 
him  that  an  Oneida  Indian  had  discovered  the  enemy 
near  at  hand  on  the  low  grounds.  That  soon  there- 
after, the  deponent  discovered  them  drawn  up  in 
order.  That  the  Gen'  then  ordered  Mr.  Lansing  to 
the  right,  and  the  deponent  to  the  left. 

That  the  firing  on  the  enemy  from  the  advance 
party  of  the  centre  then  commenced  about  (200)  two 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


191 


hundred  yards  distance.  That  about  the  same  time, 
Colo  Cuyler's  Regiment  of  the  left  column  began  to 
fire  on  the  enemy  at  about  four  hundred  yards  distance. 

That  the  Gen'  desired  the  Deponent  to  go  to  the 
left  and  order  them  to  cease  firing,  and  advance 
towards  the  enemy.  That  he  thereupon  went  to  the 
left  and  communicated  the  Gen"  orders,  but  thnt  it 
was  a  considerable  time  before  he  could  effect  it. 

That  that  regiment  advanced  a  little,  and  inclined 
towards  the  river  when  the  deponent  left  it. 

That  Colo  Rensselaer's  Reg'  was  advanced  towards 
the  enemy  in  an  orchard  in  front  of  Klock's  house. 
That  after  delivering  the  orders  to  Colo  Cuyler's  Reg*, 
he  returned  to  the  General,  whom  he  found  in  the 
centre,  with  Col"  Rensselaer's  &  Whiting's  reg"  which 
were  then  in  the  greatest  disorder  and  confusion,  and 
that  the  Gen'  did  exert  himself  to  get  them  in  order 
again. 

Question  by  the  Court.  At  what  time  did  the  firing 
commence  ? 

Ans\  At  about  sunset,  and  continued  for  about 
thirty  minutes. 

Quest,  by  the  Court.  Did  the  general  discover  any 
want  of  personal  bravery  and  firmness,  in  the  action 
of  that  day  ? 

Alls'".     He  did  not. 

Quest,  by  the  Court.  Was  Colo  Cuyler's  Reg't  also 
in  disorder  and  confusion  ? 

Alls'".     They  were. 


192 


NORTHERN  INVASION, 


Quest,  by  the  Court.  "VVTiat  was  the  extreme  distance 
between  the  front  and  rear  of  that  regiment  ? 

Ans'^.  About  two  liuudrcd  and  fifty  or  three 
hundred  yards. 

Quest,  by  Geii  Rensselaer.  Did  not  the  rear  of  the 
left  fire  at  the  same  time  when  the  front  did  ? 

Ans^.    They  did. 

Quest,  by  Gcn^  Rensselaer.  Did  you  hear  the  reason 
assigned  for  ordering  a  retreat  ? 

Ans^.  I  did.  I  think  the  reason  was,  that  the 
troops  were  in  such  confusion  that  it  would  be  easy 
for  a  small  party  of  the  enemy  to  cut  them  to  pieces. 

Quest,  by  the  Court.  Did  the  Gen'  tliro'  the  whole 
of  his  march  from  Schdnectady  upwards,  discover  a 
solicitude  to  come  up  with  the  enemy  ? 

Ans^.  He  even  appeared  anxious  to  come  up  with 
them. 

Quest,  by  the  Court.  Wliat  v/as  Gen'  Rensselaer's 
conduct  the  day  after  the  action  ? 

Alls'.  Colo  Dubois  with  the  levies  marched  in 
pursuit  of  the  enemy  the  next  morning,  and  the  Gen' 
then  ordered  some  light  troops  from  the  regiments  of 
militia  who  were  best  able  to  march,  ro  go  as 
volunteers  to  overtake  Col"  Dubois.  That  the  dep* 
went  accordingly  with  about  thirty  volunteers.  That 
on  his  way,  the  General  with  a  party  of  horse,  passed 
him  at  the  Castle'  and  that  the  deponent  with  his  party 


"In  the  present  town  of  Danube,  opposite  the  mouth  of  East 
Canada  creek. 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


193 


marched  on  and  scarae  came  up  with  the  Gen'  and 
Col"  Dubois  at  Fort  Herkimer. 
That  as  soon  as  the  main  body  of  militia  came 
•  the  whole  force  marched  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy 
about  three  or  four  miles  above  Fort  Herkimer  at 
Shoemakers',  where  they  halted  for  soma  time. 
That  a  diftercnce  of  opinion  then  arose  on  the  route 
the  enemy  had  taken,  and  on  a  consultation  of  the 
field  officers,  the  whole  of  the  troops  returned  to  Fort 
Herkimer,  where  the  Gov'  took  the  command. 

Quest,  by  Gai^  Rmsselaer.    Do  you  not  recollect  that 
I  sent  out  three  or  four  Indians    to    discover  the 
enemy's  track  ? 
Ans''.    I  do. 

Edward  S.  Willet,  being  sworn,  says :  That  on  the 
day  of  the  action  of  the  19th  October  last,  he  was 
attached  to  the  artillery.  That  he  was  at  Fort 
Eensselaer  and  afterwards  with  Gen'  Rensselaer  and 
Colo  Dubois,  on  the  bank  of  the  river  at  the  ferry. 
That  he  there  received  orders  from  the  Gen'  to  go 
down  to  the  place  where  the  militia  were  crossin"- 
and  desire  the  officers  to  hurry  on  the  troops  as  quick 
as  possible,  which  he  did. 

Quest,  by  Gcri  Rensselaer.  Do  you  not  remember 
that  the  artillery  and  ammunition  waggons  frequently 
halted  on  account  of  the  badness  of  the  roads  ? 

Alls'".  I  do,  anu  particularly  at  and  above  Anthony's 
Nose,  where  the  ammunition  waggon  Avas  delayed  the 
horses  being  very  much  fatigued. 


u 


Ifi' 


I  III 


194 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


Lieut.  Garret  "W.  Van  Schaick,'  being  sworn  says : 
That  he  was  in  the  field  of  action  on  the  19tli  Oct. 
last: 

That  when  Col"  Ciiyler's  Regiment,  and  the  other 
trooj)8  were  advancing  towards  the  enemy  then  yet 
out  of  the  reach  of  musket  shot,  Col°  Cuyler's  reg' 
began  to  fire  upon  the  enemy,  and  rushed  on  a  few 
paces,  which  broke  the  line  or  order  they  were  in. 
That  soon  after,  they  were  in  great  disorder  and 
confusion  and  the  deponent  saw  Gen'  Rensselaer  with 
them,  endeavoring  to  form  them.  That  the  Gen' 
exerted  himself  gi-eatly  on  this  occasion,  but  his 
efforts  were  fruitless.  That  the  troops  were  worn 
down  with  fatigue  occasioned  by  the  long  and  rapid 
march  and  the  want  of  rest  the  preceding  night. 

The  court  adjourned  till  Tuesday  morning. 

7  o'clock,  March  15'%  1780. 

The  courtmetpursuant  to  adjournment  and  adjounied 
till  the  16'"  at  6  o'clock  p.  m. 

March  16"'  the  court  met. 

Col°  Samuel  Clyde,^  being  sworn  says.  That  on 
the  day  of  the  action  of  the  19tli  October  last,  he 
commanded  a  party  of  Tryon  county  militia.  That 
he  was  at  "Wolrod's  feiTy  near  Fort  Rensselaer  at  the 
time  when  Gen'  Rensselaer  with  the  militia  arrived  at 
Adam  Countryman's,  about  a  mile  below  it.     That  he 


'  First  lieutenant  of  Captain  Roseboom's  company,  Mar  cb  3,1780. 
2  Commander  of  the  Canajoharie  district  regiment;  appointed  Jan. 
25, 1778. 


NOHTIIEUN  INVASION. 


195 


crossed  tlio  ferry  to  tlio  north  side  with  the  levies  and 
militia,  about  one  o'clock  v.  m.  by  Col°  Dubois'  orders. 
That  he  had  orders  to  halt  there  till  Gen'  Rensselaer 
should  join  him. 

That  al}out  three  or  four  hours  thereafter,  the  Gen' 
with  his  militia  joined  the  levies  and  militia  at  the 
ferry,  when  without  the  least  delay,  the  whole  force 
marched  with  the  grccatest  expedition  till  they  came  up 
with  the  enemy.  That  the  militia  commanded  by  the 
deponent  were  attached  to  the  levies  under  Colo. 
Dubois  on  the  right. 

That  the  deponent  was  not  informed  of  the  disposition 
of  the  other  troops,  and  had  no  opportunity  to  observe 
it,  as  he  marched  immediately  into  the  woods  on  the  hill. 
That  the  troops  marched  about  four  miles,  till  they 
had  got  above  Col".  Klock's.  That  he  then  heard  a 
firing  near  Klock's  house ;  but  that  the  right  continued 
their  march  with  design  to  out  flank  the  enemy.  That 
upon  finding  that  tlie  right  had  got  above  the  enemy, 
two  or  three  platoons  of  levies  and  militia  were 
detached  (by  Maj.  Benschoton)  from  the  rear,  to 
attack  a  body  of  the  enemy  who  were  posted  about 
one  hundred  rods  above  Klock's.  That  that  detach- 
ment fired  six  or  seven  platoons  when  the  enemy  fled, 
and  the  troops  returned  to  their  post. 

That  the  right  was  then  ordered  to  halt,  until  Col". 
Dubois  waited  on  the  Gen'  for  orders. 

That  it  was  then  so  dark  as  to  render  it  difficult  to 
enter  into  action  with  safety ;  as  it  was  hardly  possible 


196 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


to  distinguish  our  troops  and  the  cuemy  from  one 
another.  That  he  then  observed  a  cross  fire  upon  the 
right,  from  the  low  lands,  which  he  supposed  to  have 
come  from  the  enemy,  but  that  he  was  the  same 
evening  informed  by  Col°.  Dubois,  that  it  proceeded 
from  our  own  troops. 

That  the  right  remained  in  that  situation  for  about 
half  an  hour.  That  the  enemy  could  just  bo  discerned 
and  part  of  them  were  then  heard  crossing  the  river. 
That  the  daylight  was  then  in,  and  the  troops  received 
orders  to  march,  and  they  proceeded  towards  Klock's 
house,  where  they  halted   a  short  space  of  time. 

That  on  hearing  the  groanings  of  a  man  that  lay 
wounded  in  the  field  of  action,  he  detached  six  men  to 
bring  him  in.  That  these  men  with  some  others, 
brought  in  the  artillery  waggons  and  artillery  which 
had  been  deserted  by  the  enemy.  That  a  report  of 
this  matter  was  sent  to  Gen'.  Rensselaer,  two  or  three 
hours  after  dark. 

That  it  was  agreed  between  this  deponent  and  Maj. 
Benschotcn  to  halt  the  troops  and  remain  on  the  ground 
where  they  were,  and  that  soon  after.  Col".  Dubois  came 
to  them  with  orders  that  they  should  remain  on  the 
ground  near  Klock's. 

That  he  did  not  hear  of  any  coimcil  of  war  being 
held,  and  a  retreat  resolved  on.  That  Col"  Dubois 
informed  the  deponent  and  Maj.  Benschoten,  that  the 
Gen'  would  be  with  them  in  the  morning,  and  that 
they  were  to  march  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy. 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


197 


ne 
he 
,ve 
ne 
cd 

ut 
ed 

ed 

to 
rs, 
ch 
of 
ee 

aj. 
lid 
ae 
lie 

^S 
)is 

he 

at 


That  the  levies  under  Col".  Dubois,  aud  the  miUtia 
comniauded  by  tlie  deponent,  marched  accordingly 
about  an  hour  after  sunrise,  and  before  the  Gen' 
came  up  with  thorn.  That  he  heard  the  Gen'  lodged 
at  Fox's  about  three  or  four  miles  below  Klock's, 
That  Coh  Dubois  and  the  deponent,  and  their 
troops  marched  to  Fort  Herkimer  and  arrived  there 
about  two  o'clock,  being  about  eighteen  or  twenty 
miles.  That  about  an  hour  after,  they  were  joined 
by  the  general  with  a  party  of  horse,  and  that 
some  time  thereafter,  Major  Morris,  with  a  party 
of  militia  came  up;  and  that  about  two  hours  after 
the  General's  arrival  they  were  joined  by  a  body 
of  militia.  That  then  (about  four  o'clock),  all  the 
troops  marched  from  Fort  Herkimer  (about  six  miles), 
to  Shoemaker's. 

Gml''  Question.  Do  you  know  the  reason  of  our 
marching  to  Shoemaker's  ? 

Ans''.  The  enemy  had  marched  into  the  woods, 
and  it  was  supposed  they  only  meant  to  avoid  the 
little  forts  which  were  along  the  public  road,  and 
would  come  into  the  road  again  at  Shoemaker's. 

GcnF'  Quest.  Did  you  not  hear  that  we  were  at  a 
loss  to  know  which  way  the  enemy  had  gone,  and  do 
you  not  recollect  that  three  Indians  were  sent  out  by 
me  to  discover  their  track  ? 

A.  I  did  hear  that  it  was  doubtful  which  route  the 
enemy  had  taken  and  that  the  Indians  were  sent  out. 

Quest.    Did  we  remain  there  that  night,  or  did  wo 


198 


NOKTIIEUN  INVASION. 


h''  1 


return,  —  and  when  —  and  do  you  know  tlie  reason  of 
our  return  ? 

Ans.  Wo  remained  tliere  till  near  dark,  and  then 
returned  to  Fort  Ilerkinior.  I  do  not  know  the  reaHon 
why,  I  heard  the  sroutrt  had  heen  oi,  ind  returned, 
and  that  they  could  not  discover  that  the  enemy  had 
gone  that  way. 

Quest.  Did  not  the  governor  join  us  at  Fort  Her- 
kimer ? 

Aris.    He  did,  some  time  in  that  night. 

Quest.  Had  you  on  the  19th  Oct'  from  your  situa- 
tion, any  opportunity  of  seeing  the  confusion  that 
prevailed  on  our  left  and  centre  ? 

Ans.    I  had  not. 

Quest.  Do  you  think  it  would  have  heen  prudent  in 
me,  to  have  engaged  the  enemy  with  the  party  of 
levies  and  militia  who  wei'e  on  the  north  side  of  the 
river,  at  "Wolrod's  ferry,  hefore  the  militia  who  were 
below  came  up  ? 

Ans.    I  do  not  think  it  would. 

Quest  by  the  Court.  Did  you  on  the  19th  or  20th 
Octobor,  or  at  any  time  before,  discover  any  want  of 
personal  bravery  and  firmness  in  Gen'  Rensselaer? 

Ans.  I  never  did,  before,  nor  did  I  at  any  time  on 
those  days. 

John  Lansing  Jun',  Esqr.  being  sworn,  says  as 
follows :  On  the  17th  of  October  last,  in  the  after- 
noon, I  accompanied  Gen'  Rensselaer  in  quality  of 
Aid-major  from  Albany  to  Schenectady.     The  city  of 


NOUTIIKUN  INVASION. 


I'M) 


Albany  militlii,  ntid  some  other  regiments  having 
previously  proceeded  on  their  niftrch  to  that  place. 
Wo  overtook  and  paHscd  a  number  of  the  militia 
before  wo  arrived  at  that  place,  and  Col".  Van 
Alstyno's  reg'  which  had  been  directed  to  march 
by  the  way  of  Nestagiuna,  not  having  arrived  at 
Schenectady  in  the  evening,  the  general  sent  an 
express  to  him,  with  ordcrn  to  hasten  his  march,  so  as 
to  be  at  Schenectady  at  daybreak  next  morning. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  general  having  been  informed 
that  the  enemy  were  still  burning  in  the  lower  par*? 
of  Schoharie,  convened  some  of  the  principal  inhabit- 
ants of  Schenectady,  and  advised  with  them  on  the 
practicability  of  procuring  a  number  of  horses  and 
waggons  by  the  next  morning,  to  convey  such  militia 
as  could  bo  collected,  towards  the  enemy,  with  the 
greatest  expedition. 

The  attempt  was  made  in  the  course  of  the  night, 
but  a  number  very  inadequate  to  the  service  could 
only  be  procured.  The  issuing  commissaiy  was  the 
same  evening  sent  for  to  inform  the  general  of  the 
state  of  provisions  at  Schenectady,  It  appeared  from 
his  information,  as  I  was  advised  by  Gen'  Rensselaer 
an  hour  or  two  after  ho  was  sent  for,  that  there  was 
not  a  sufficiency  of  provisions  of  the  meat  kind  to 
victual  the  troops  for  a  day,  and  a  very  small  quantity 
of  bread.  Some  cattle  arriving  destined  for  the 
garrison  of  Fort  Schuyler,  the  general  ordered  some 
of  them  to  be  killed  for  the  use  of  the  militia.     Those 


200 


NOHTIIEKN  lNVASIO^f. 


were  to  have  been  ready  at  daybreak,  ])»it  the  brond 
wlilch  was  ordered  to  l)o  l»aked,  and  the  cattle  directed 
to  bo  killed,  did  not  got  ready  till  abont  nine  o'clock 
in  tbo  morning,  before  which  orderH  wore  iwHued  to 
march  an  soon  as  the  provinionH  shonid  be  received, 

VV^hile  we  were  at  Hclienectady  on  the  morning  of 
tlie  I8th,  General  Kcnsselaer  wrote  a  letter,  or  directed 
mo  to  write  to  Colonel  Staats  or  Veeder  (I  cannot 
charge  my  memory  to  wliich),  directing  him,  as  nearly 
as  I  can  recollect,  to  call  upon  Major  VVoolsey,  and  to 
take  all  the  force  he  could  collect  from  the  different 
posta  at  Schohary,  without  exposing  the  forts  too 
much,  pursue  the  enemy,  and  hang  on  their  rear, 
avoiding  however  an  eligagcment,  and  advising  the 
(jleneral  from  time  to  time,  of  the  route,  numbers,  and 
such  other  particulars  respecting  the  eneiiiy  as  he  could 
collect. 

I  believe  it  was  between  niiie  and  ten  o'clock 
before  the  militia  got  in  march.  They  marched  on 
the  IHth,  as  far  as  Sir  William  Johnson's  old  place  on 
the  Mohawk  River,  which  I  think  I  was  informed 
was  sixteen  miles  above  Schenectady.  AVe  arrived 
there  atler  it  was  dark,  and  took  post  on  a  hill. 

A  council  was  called  by  the  General  as  soon  as  the 
troops  could  be  properly  disposed  of,  consisting  of  a 
number  of  field  officers  and  the  General  suggested  to 
them  the  necessity  of  taking  measures  to  procure 
intelligence  of  the  enemy's  route.  It  was  agreed  to 
send  out  a  party  to  make  discoveries,  and  which  was 


NORTIIKKN  INVASION. 


201 


nccordiiiKly  doiii".  Tlio  TiiKlitoninulu '  Ifill  homf^ 
covered  with  woods,  mid  it  })i.i!ig  very  dnrk,  tljo 
council  agreed  in  Hontiiiicnt,  that  it  woidd  ho  most 
udvisiil)Io  to  retimiii  on  tlie  ground  on  wliicli  wo  then 
wore,  till  the  moon  shoidd  hogiu  to  appear.  Wo 
accordingly  rtMnnlnod  I  think  till  some  tinio  hoforo 
tho  moon  rose,  wlu>n  tlio  march  was  resumed.  Wo 
arrived  at  Fort  iruntcr  ([  think)  ahout  twelve.  Tho 
militia  were  directed  to  cross  the  Schoharie  creek, 
which  was  soon  etfected  in  a  scow  and  tho  waggons. 

I  went  into  the  fort  with  tho  (Jencral,  who  exa»nined 
a  prisoner  that  had  heon  taken  and  hrought  in,  and 
upon  coming  out  wo  crossed  tho  creek  and  found  most 
of  tho  militia  on  the  west  side.     Wo  then  nuirchod 
on,  and  I  do  not  recollect  that  we  made  any  halt  after 
leaving  tho  creek,  till  wo  got  to  Van  Kp's  where  we 
halted,   I  think   ahout  an  hour.     TTero  tho  General 
directed  me  to  write  to  CoIoucIh  Duhoin  and  Brown, 
advising  them  of  his  situation  and  his  intentions  to 
pursue  the  enemy  closely,   and   to  attack  them  by 
break  of  day.     In  consequence  of  these  orders,  I  wrote 
a  letter  to  Col"  Dubois,  of  wliich  I  bcliovo  the  paper 
Col"  Harper  produced  to  the  court  is  a  copy.     Another 
was   dinpatched    to    Colonel   Brown.     The    General 
received  the  account  at  Van  Eps,  by  one  Wallace,  that 
the  enemy  were  cncami)ed  at  Anthony's  Nose,  on  both 
sides  of  tho  river,  we  continued  our  march  to  a  field 


'  Chuctanimda. 


202 


NOUTIIKHN  INVASION. 


at  sonic  distance  IVom  the  east  side  of  the  Noso.  It 
was  then  some  time  advanced  in  the  day.  Hero  wo 
halted.  The  nmmnuition  was  inspected,  and  an 
additional  quantity  distributed  among  the  troops. 
Colonel  Louis  was  sent  out  to  reconni>itre  Anthony's 
Nose,  M-hieh  is  a  very  dangerous  defile. 

Upon  his  return,  and  reporting  that  he  had  made  no 
discot'eries.  and  after  the  issues  of  ammunitions  were 
completed,  which  might  possibly  have  taken  an  hour, 
the  miUtia  were  ordered  on.  After  proceeding  to  the 
west  side  of  the  Nose,  we  discovei-ed  a  party  of  about 
forty  of  the  enemy  on  the  north  side  of  the  Mohawk 
River  who  were  bending  their  course  towards  the  river. 
Our  advance  was  then  about  one  quarter  of  a  mile  in 
front  of  the  main  body.  Capt"  Driskill  of  the  artillery 
was  with  a  field  piece  with  the  advance  guard.  I  was 
directed  by  the  Ocn'  to  go  to  the  advance  guard  and 
order  the  otHcer  commanding  it,  to  nuvke  proper 
dispositions  to  intercept  the  enemy,  should  they  cross 
a  ford,  which  it  was  said  was  in  onr  front,  as  the 
general  supposed  they  mistook  our  troops  for  those  of 
the  enemy.  1  rodo  to  the  advance,  and  delivered  my 
orders.  They  halted  for  some  time,  and  Cap'  Di-iskill 
upon  my  returning  desired  me  to  beg  the  general  to 
give  the  enemy's  party  a  shot  or  two.  "VVheu  I 
returned,  I  communicated  Driskill's  retpiest.  (ten' 
iiensselaer  observed  to  me,  our  business  was  not  so 
much  to  frighten  the  enemy  as  to  fight  them,  and  that 
a  compliance  with  Driskill's  request  would  only  tend 


NOIITIIEUN  INVASION-. 


203 


to  discover  to  tlio  enemy  that  we  were  in  force.  Wo 
continued  marcliinii^  on,  witliont  niiiking  any  general 
halt,  tluit  I  re(!ollecl:,  till  we  arrived  at  the  ford,  abont 
a  mile  to  the  eastward  of  Fort  Kensselacr.  The 
militia  Htop[)ed  here  to  refresh  themselves  not  having 
had  time  to  cook  tlieir  provisions  since  their  leaving 
vSchenectady,  the  enemy  being  then  burning  from  the 
direction  of  their  fires  at  Stone  vXrabia, 

Soon  after  the  halt,  Gen'  Ilensselaer  went  to  Fort 
Rensselaer,  to  which  place  I  followed  liim  and  dined. 
Immediately  after  diinier,  Gen'  Jiensselaev  directed 
me  to  go  down  to  the  militia  and  order  them  across 
the  river  as  soon  as  possible.  VVHieu  I  came  down  to 
the  place  where  they  had  halted,  I  found  that  some 
had  already  crossed  the  river  on  waggons  and  others 
were  following  their  example.  But  they  went  across 
very  tardily,  comjilainiiig  of  being  too  much  harrassed 
by  a  forced  march  and  many  appeared  much  dispii-it(;d 
on  account  of  IJrown's  defeat  which  was  genci'ally 
known  among  them. 

Imagining  that  the  crossing  would  be  expedited  by 
forming  a  bridge  across  the  river  with  our  waggons, 
I  suggested  it  to  some  of  the  field  officers  who  agreed 
with  me  in  sentiment,  but  the  orders  given  for  the 
execution  of  this  service,  were  executed  with  such 
reluctance,  that  at  least  two  hours  elapsed  before  the 
militia  had  crossed,  tho'  many  of  the  officers  exerted 
themselves  to  facilitate  their  (!onveyiuice  across  the 
river. 


204 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


While  the  militia  were  crossing,  1  received  two 
messages  from  tlie  General,  to  push  them  on  with  all 
expedition,  which  was  communicated  to  the  field 
officers  on  the  ground. 

In  the  mean  time,  an  attempt  was  made  to  induce 
them  to  ford  the  river,  but  proved  unavailing.  As 
soon  as  they  were  crossed,  they  Avere  marched  to  the 
place  where  the  levies  had  crossed  the  river,  and  were 
formed  and  counted  off  in  sections.  The  enemy  were 
then  about  two  miles  in  advance,  burning  the 
buildings  as  they  proceeded. 

After  we  had  marched  on  some  distance,  the  general 
directed  me  to  write  a  letter  to  his  Excellency  the 
Governor,  advising  him  that  he  was  near  the  enemy, 
and  intended  to  attack  as  soon  as  he  could  overtake 
them.  While  I  was  A\Titing,  the  disposition  of  the 
troops  was  made  for  an  attack. 

Upon  my  overtaking  the  General,  who  was  at  the 
head  of  what  I  was  told  was  the  centre  column,  I  rode 
with  him  some  minutes,  when  he  observed  to  me, 
that  the  militia  on  the  left,  were  marching  on  without 
observing  any  order,  and  directed  me  to  go  to  them, 
and  order  them  to  march  more  compactly.  I  went 
dowTi  and  gave  the  orders  to  Colonel  Cuyler  and  some 
other  officers.  Upon  my  return  to  the  General,  I 
observed  a  number  of  men  in  advance  of  the  centre, 
as  I  afterwards  found,  and  upon  my  taldng  the  shortest 
route  towards  them,  I  found  they  were  Indians.  I 
enquired  of  one  of  them  whether  he  had  seen  the 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


205 


General.  He  liiippeued  not  to  uncloi'staiul  me,  and 
wliile  I  was  endeavoring  to  make  him  understand  me 
the  Indians  hegan  to  fire,  and  received  a  warm  one 
in  return.  The  first  fire,  my  horse  fell  with  me.  By 
this  time,  the  troops  in  the  low  ground  had  commenced 
a  firing  at  long  shot  from  the  enemy,  broke,  and 
some  ran.  I  again  made  au  attempt  to  mount  my 
horse,  but  finding  that  he  would  not  stand  fire,  I  ran 
down  towards  the  left,  one  of  the  militia  attending 
me  and  leading  my  horse,  till  I  came  to  Van  Alstyne's 
regiment  which  was  broke.  I  assisted  in  rallying  it, 
which  was  partly  eftected.  I  then  went  to  Colonel 
Cuyler's  and  endeavored  to  assist  the  ofiicers  in  rallying 
that  regiment,  wliich  was  also  partly  rallied:  but 
part  of  another  regiment  (Van  Alstyne's  I  think) 
firing  at  Cuyler's  they  again  broke,  and  could  not  be 
rallied. 

A  similar  confusion  seemed  to  prevail  in  every  part 
of  the  troops  on  the  left.  I  did  not  see  General 
Rensselaer  after  the  firing  commenced,  till  it  had 
somewhat  subsided,  and  from  the  direction  of  the  fire, 
it  appeared  that  the  enemy's  had  entirely  ceased,  when 
he  exerted  to  rally  Cuyler's  and  other  regiments  on 
the  left.  He  observed  to  me,  that  the  confusion  and 
darkness  was  such,  that  it  would  be  imprudent  to 
engage  the  enemy  in  the  night,  and  directed  me  to 
assist  in  marching  off  the  troops. 

When  the  firing  commenced  on  our  part,  the  rear 
of  two  regiments  in   the  low  grounds,   were  strung 


206 


NOHTJIKRN  INVASION. 


iiloiim  ii  hundred  and  fifty  or  two  liniidrcd  yards 
boJiiiid  the  front,  and  kept  up  a  warm  fire,  as  well  as 
the  front,  but  the  direction  of  the  fire  seenu.l  to  bo 
up  in  tlie  air. 

At  the  time  the  engagement  began  it  was  dark,  and 
in  a  few  minutes  it  was  quite  dark,  which  I  believe 
was  occasioned  by  the  smoke  of  the  buildings  which 
were  burnt  by  the  enemy. 

Immediately  after  the  firing  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy  ceased,  I  lieard  several  exclamations  at  different 
times,  by  the  militia  on  the  low  grounds,  that  they 
were  in  danger  to  be  cut  to  pieces  and  surrounded  by 
the  enemy  and  many  of  them  expressed  a  great 
disposition  to  run  off.      ' 

In  the  evening  of  the  action,  I  suggested  to  the 
general,  that  the  troops  were  without  provisions  and 
I  recollect  he  informed  me,  that  he  had  ordered  the 
provisions  to  be  over  early  in  the  morning,  but  it  did 
not  arrive  till  after  sunrise. 

In  the  same  evening,  the  General  informed  me, 
that  lie  had  given  orders  to  Col°.  Dubois,  for  the 
marching  of  the  levies  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy  the 
next  morning,  by  break  of  day,  or  before  day,  (I  do 
not  recollect  which),  and  those  troops  mai'ched 
accordingly. 

As  soon  as  the  militia  had  got  their  provisions  and 
cooked  and  eat  it,  they  nuirched  also,  I  think  about 
an  hour  after  sunrise  (but  this  I  cannot  ascertain  with 
precision). 


NOUTIIEUN  INVASION. 


207 


On  the  inaroli,  tlio  general  deslicd  tlint  a  small 
(ietaoliment  of  men  of  the  different  regiments  who 
were  best  able  to  go  on,  should  turn  out  as  volunteers, 
to  overtake,  and  who  wcnit  on  to  join  Col°.  Dubois. 
If  I  recollect  right,  this  detaclimcnt  was  made  in 
consequence  of  intelligence  received,  that  Col°. 
Dubois  was  very  near  the  enemy. 

The  General  went  on,  escorted  by  a  small  number 
of  horsemen,  to  join  CoK  Dubois.  I  followed  him, 
and  we  arrived  at  Fort  Herkimer  about  two  o'clock. 
About  two  hours  after,  the  militia  joined  us  and  halted 
a  small  space  of  time. 

Here  the  General  received  intelligence,  that  the 
enemy  had  struck  off  from  the  i)ublic  road  to  avoid 
the  fort,  and  had  taken  the  route  to  Shoemaker's. 

The  General  then  marched  the  troops  on  to  near 
Shoemaker's.  It  was  there  become  doubtful  what  route 
the  enemy  had  taken,  and  parties  of  Indians  and  white 
men  were  sent  out  to  discover  their  track  who  returned 
and  finally  reported  that  from  the  observations  they 
could  make,  the  enemy  had  not  gone  that  way. 

When  the  general  found  that  he  had  mistaken  the 
enemy's  route,  he  ordered  the  troops  to  return  to  fort 
Herkimer,  with  intentions  (as  was  said),  to  fall  in  with 
their  track,  to  the  southward  of  Fort  Herkimer.  It  was 
just  dark,  when  the  troops  marched  from  Shoemaker's 
towards  Fort  Herkimer. 

The  next  morning  the  governor  took  the  commaiid. 

Question  hji  ih(   Court.     Froni   the   whole   tenor   of 


208 


NORTHERN  INVASION. 


Geu'  Rensselaer's  conduct  in  his  ninrcli  up  the 
Mohawk  River,  had  you  reason  to  suppose  that  ho 
was  anxious  to  come  up  with  the  enemy  ? 

Ans''.  lie  appeared  to  be  very  much  so,  in  every 
part  of  his  conduct. 

Quest,  hi/  Cota-t.  Did  you,  ir.  •  ^tre  the  action 
of  the  19"'  October,  discover  anj  it  of  firmness, 
or  personal  bravery  in  the  general  ? 

Ans"".  From  wliat  I  observed  of  his  conduct,  before 
the  action,  he  appeared  to  possess  himself  fully,  and 
in  the  course  of  that  action,  or  after  it  he  did  not 
betray  the  least  want  of  resolution  or  firmness,  as  far 
as  fell  under  my  observation. 

The  court  then  adjoi^rned  till  Saturday  morning, 
March  IT*,  at  7  o'clock. 

The  coiirt  met  pursuant  to  adjournment. 

Upon  duly  consideri'-'2j  the  proofs  and  allegations 

respecting    B.     Gen'    Rensselaer's    conduct    on    the 

incursions  of  the  enemy  into  Tryon  county,  in  October 

last :  The  Court  do  unanimously  report  their  opinion  : 

That  the  whole  of  General  Rensselaer's  conduct  both 

before  and  after,  as  well  as  in,  the  action  of  the  19th 

of  October  last,  was  not  only  unexceptionable,   but 

such  as  became  a  good,  active,  faithful,  prudent  and 

spirited  officer,  and  that  the  public  clamors  raised  to 

his  prejudice  on  that  account,  are  without  the  least 

foundation. 

Jacobus  Swartwout,  Presd' 

Tlis  Excellency,  Governor  Clinton. 


NOUTIIKUN  INVASION. 


20!) 


Memorial  of  the  Supcrmors  of  7)y/on  County. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  supervisors  of  Tryon  county  on 
the  20tli  (lay  of  December,  1780: 

The  supervisors  being  convened  according  to  the 
directions  of  the  several  acts  for  raising  men  during 
the  war;  for  raising  by  tax  a  sum  equal  to  150,000 
dollars  in  specie,  and  for  drawing  forth  the  supplies 
allotted  to  this  state  passed  in  the  last  setting  of  the 
legislature:  —  and  liaving  taken  the  same  into  con- 
sideration, arc  obliged  to  obsei-ve,  that  in  the  former 
situation  of  the  county,  the  quotas  allotted  to  us  might 
have  been  raised,  but  that  in  the  present  situation,  we 
are  persuaded,  that  as  to  the  two  former  acts,  it  is  out  of 
the  power  of  the  county  to  comply  with  them,  without 
distressing  us  in  the  highest  degree.  The  latter  cannot 
be  complied  with,  without  starving  great  numbers  of 
people  who  have  been  burned  out  and  abandoned  their 
plantations.  The  poverty  and  inability  of  our  people 
are  such,  that  we  think  tliat  in  the  present  impoverished 
state  of  the  country,  it  is  unjust  and  unreasonable  to 
be  called  upon  for  such  large  proportions  of  men, 
money  and  supplies,  willing  and  ready  as  we  always 
have  been  in  our  exertions  for  the  public  good,  we 
cannot  be  understood  to  censure  the  legislature  for 
passing  the  laws,  for  at  the  time  thereof,  we  Miink  we 
might  have  raised  our  quotas,  but  we  mean  to  show 
that  at  present  we  have  not  that  ability. 
27 


210 


noRtiikun  invasion. 


In  order  to  set  the  stiito  of  tlio  country  in  n  proper 
point  of  view,  we  have  with  great  trouhlc  and  hibor, 
got  uttcHtcd  rcturnH  made  of  the  number  of  buildings 
burned,  of  families  moved  from  their  phmtations,  of 
persona  ran  away  to  the  enemy,  of  tlie  number  killed 
and  taken  prisoners,  and  as  near  as  could  be,  the  farms 
which  lie  uncultivated  by  reason  of  our  defenceless 
situation: — By  which  it  appears,  that  700  buildings 
have  been  burnt,  354  families  have  abandoned  their 
plantations  and  moved  from  the  county,  G13  persons 
have  deserted  to  the  enemy,  l!t7  persons  have  been 
killed,  121  persons  are  prisoners  with  the  enemy. 
The  nund)cr  of  uncultivated  farms  in  consequence  of 
incursions  by  and  desertions  to  the  enemy  amounts  to 
at  least  1,200. 

The  whole  of  the  county  is  not  iiurluded  in  the 
above.  Returns  from  Cherry  Valley,  Newtown-Martin, 
SpringHeld,  Ilarperstield  and  Old  England  district, 
by  reason  of  a  total  desertion  of  these  settlements  could 
not  be  got.  The  inhabitants  have  some  deserted  to 
the  enemy,  the  greater  number  moved  in. 

"When  the  above  was  made  up,  returns  from  three 
companies  in  Colonel  Fisher's  regiment  had  not  come 
in,  one  of  which  is  nearly  burned  out. 

To  make  our  misery  and  distress  appear  clear,  it 
is  observable,  that  in  Col"  Bellinger's  regiment, 
which  comprehends  the  German  Flatts  and  Kingsland 
districts,  there  are  not  more  than  forty-four  farms 
cultivated,  on  which  live   139  families,  besides  the 


NOUTIIKUN  INVASION. 


211 


ovviRMH,  the  produce  wlieroof  in  tiiiu'  of  [leiu-e  would 
not  muiiitiilii  more  than  1H;{  lauiilieH,  m  that  uiakiiii^ 
allowance  for  the  daiifjei'rt  we  are  daily  expoHcd  to, 
thoy  have  not  Hufticient  hy  a  great  deal  for  their  sub- 
HiHtenee.    Kighty-eight  families  have  moved  lower  down. 

That  in  t!ol"  Kloek'n  regiment,  eompreliending 
Talatine  distriet,  the  greater  part  of  the  liuildingH  are 
destroyed  with  the  grain,  one  full  third  of  the  farms  lie 
uncultivated,  and  not  above  fiO  farmers  left,  who  have 
any  grain  to  spare  :  added  to  the  large  number  of 
refugees  from  the  upi>er  Clanajohary  districts  makes  it 
evident  beyond  a  doubt  that  this  district  has  not  bread 
till  the  ensuing  harvest. 

The  greater  half  of  Cnn")ohary  is  destroyed;  some 
parts  so  long  ago  as  1778,  which  since  have  not 
been  tilled :  some  part  last  summer.  The  devas- 
tation and  property  of  tlie  inhabitants  and  refugees 
in  this  district  are  such,  that  the  grain  in  it  will 
l)e  barely  sntticient  for  the  subsistence  of  those  wbo 
remain  in  it. 

Caughnawaga  district  in  Ool"  Fisher's  regiment,  is 
equally  distressed  with  the  two  last  having  a  large 
number  of  disaffected  people  on  its  back  parts,  who  arc 
a  continual  terror  to  the  well  affected,  who  in  order  to 
aid  the  country,  raise  no  more  than  a  sufficiency  for 
themselves,  with  the  double  destruction  of  the  ablest 
part  of  the  district  lias  undergone  the  part  remaining 
being  poor  in  general,  added  to  a  total  destruction  of 
a  great  part  of  the  district  shew  a  melancholy  truth 


NonrilKKN  INVASION. 


tliiil  all  tiu'  ^viuu  ri'iimiiiiiii''  tlu'iiiii,  will  not  ki'i'p 
the  iiiluil>itiiii  and  roi'iisrei'H  ivHuli'iit,  till  tlu>y  am 
Imvo  tlio  benefit  of  a  now  crop. 

Tlio  Mohawk  Diwtrict  in  (V»l"  Kishcr'ri  Regiment, 
hnH  siiftered  tlie  louHt  by  the  enemy  and  is  not  ho  much 
hurtlieiied  witli  iTfiiujees  as  the  otliers, —  lins  Homo 
grain  to  spare,  but  when  the  otlier  parts  of  the  country 
are  supplied,  what  they  fall  short  out  of  the  supor- 
fluitioH  of  the  Mohocks,  we  apprehend  that  the 
quantity  remaining  will  not  be  great. 

The  causes  of  our  distress  arise  chielly  from  the 
following. 

The  situation  of  the  country  make  it  an  entire 
frontier,  exposed  to  the  iijroads  of  the  enemy  from  the 
north,  west  and  south.  The  fre(pient  irruptions  and 
many  murders  committed  by  the  enemy,  the  constant 
dread  of  a  repetition  thereof,  have  induced  the  people 
to  build  numbers  of  small  picketed  forts,  in  which 
they  are  cooped  up  from  spring  to  fall,  the  militia 
being  at  half  of  their  time  on  duty.  The  dithculty  if 
not  impossibility  in  these  cases  to  work  our  lands. 
The  work  that  is  done,  is  performed  by  halfs  only, 
and  under  continual  fear  of  the  tomahawk  and 
eoalpmg  knife.  The  fiirms  cultivated,  are  only  those 
which  lie  near  the  picquets.  The  great  and  heavy 
losses  sustained  by  us  in  lives,  prisoners,  desertions  to 
the  enemy,  and  [in]  property,  h^ve  occasioned  the 
removal  from  the  country  of  a  very  large  number  of 
families  most  of  them   our  wealthiest  people,  and  to 


NdUTMKIlN  INVASION. 


2l:{ 


(liHlicui'tcii  tlioKc  wlio  iviiiniii,  iiuiudimh  iiioro  ant  now 
piTpariiig  to  tbilovv  tli  tso  ulrriuly  ^oiio. 

Tho  ])0()j)lc  think,  tliut  wliivt  i-t>iiiaiiiH  of  UiIh  oiico 
HounHliiiij^  oouiity  will  Itc  dcHtroycd  the  ciiHuiii^ 
Bummor.  Tho  iiuturo  of  tlio  war  in  tiicHi^  luirtw  is  Huch, 
that  a  Hniall  forco  may  do  it. 

Having  literally  Hacriticod  our  livoH  and  fortiniow, 
in  defence  of  the  LihertieH  of  America,  the  HMperviHorn 
are  Horry  to  hold  up  the  lanjjiia^e  of  doHi)ondenne,  hut 
tlic  juHtieo  wo  owo  to  ournttlvoH  our  conHtitucntH  and 
our  country,  tlic  upitrehonHionH  wo  entertain  that 
tlio  peculiar  circuniHtftnces  of  this  county,  and  tho 
f^rcat  distresses  of  tho  people  liave  never  heen  fully 
nuide  known  by  those  whoso  duty  it  was,  render  it 
iiidispensil)le.  The  nccesHity  of  tlie  case  obliges  us 
to  do  it,  in  the  plain  language  of  truth  and  without 


cxuggerution. 


Wo  cannot  liclp  representing  as  grievances,  tliat 
upwards  of  one  hundred  tory  womou  witli  destitute 
fiiniilics  urct  rcn.aining  in  Cauglmawnga  district. 
The  collection  of  the  rents  from  the  tenants  of  Sir 
John  Johnson  and  Col"  Butler  in  tlie  same  district, 
duo  since  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  at  this 
time  fall  exceeding  Imrd  on  that  .".""trict,  as  thereby 
that  grain  is  taken  away,  whicli  is  necessary  for  tlicir 
consumption. 

As  the  taking  away  cattle,  at  the  point  of  the 
])ayonet  might  liave  been  necessary  for  tho  subsistence 
of  troops,  we  do  not  tiomplain  of  it,  but  the  refusal 


214 


NdKTIIKUN  INVASION. 


I    Ti 


of  |iro|K'i-  voiicln'iK  hy  thoMi'  wlio  I'xociitod  tluit 
biiMiiiOHM,  in  H  griovimco  wt'  cmiiKit  ovorlook.  Tho 
liirufc  iiimihi'rH  of  slock  drove  oil'  l»v  the  «'ii('m,v,  nt 
ditH'iviit  timt'H,  imiki'H  tho  Imnljsliip  oC  Imviii^'  our 
cuttlo  Hoi/.od  tin*  ^ivhU'1% 

Tho  coiiMCMjiu'in'OH  of  the  di'|tivciiitioii  of  the  paper 
enrreiu-.y  in,  that  we  can  ohtuiii  iieitlier  tlie  iieeeHHurieH 
nor   eonveiiieiiceH   of    life    hut   hy    luirter   for  gnuii. 

Money  wo  have  none,  as  the  supiiMes  fiirniKhed  the 
puhlie  for  upwards  of  a  year  past,  are  not  yet  paid. 

The  depreeiation  it  is  confeHHed,  has  arinen  from 
Boverai  causes.  W'liatever  eauHe  it  is  asctrihed  to,  we 
feel  ourHolves  entirely  froo  of  it,  as  we  can  make  it 
ap[iear,  tliat  until  the  last  Hpriui;,  the  prices  were 
ulwuys  lower  with  us  than  helow,  and  wo  seldom  if 
ever  received  the  current  price  helow  for  our  grain  here. 

Tho  reasons  that  wo  have  not  raised  every  tax 
demanded  of  us  hy  law,  are,  as  to  one  tnx,  a  disagree- 
ment hetween  the  suitervisors  an<l  assessors  in  assessing 
the  estate  r.'ul  and  personal,  and  as  to  the  others,  the 
want  of  money,  the  destitution  of  tho  country,  and 
tho  consequent  misery  and  distress  of  its  inhabitants, 
arising  from  tho  causes,  and  in  the  manner  above 
related. 

It  is  ordered  that  a  fair  copy  of  the  above  bo  made 
and  transmitted  to  his  Excellency  the  Governor,  and 
tlmt  the  clerk  of  this  board  sign  the  same. 
Signed  l>y  order  of  tho  Supervisors. 

IsAA(!  I'AHis,  Clerk. 


NOUTIIKUN  INVASION. 


•215 


livpnt'l  i[f  liiisxcH  in  llir  '/'tfrUart/  of  tlir  'Ih/aii  Cinmfif 
llri<i(iili\  fiiticc  the  bujinmuj  of  the  Win;  Mode  JJercm- 
Ixr  I,  17H(). 


ItllKlllK'UlXt  iko, 


C<il.  H('lliiij{('i''M  Uf'n't. • 

"    KInik'H 

"    Kiwlicr'!*  

Ciipl.  CIiijI'm 

"      lliirM'r'h(!i)in|i.. . 


Tot  III, 


i:n) 

1154 
(MM) 


l,ilH(l 


^ 

t 

i 

1 

s 

1 

1 

1 

'in 

till 

iia 

im 

1.11 

470 

11)5 

7it 

(III 

5H 

10 

114 

(Hit 

5»il 

170 

tl)7li:t4l:i54 


J'ermns  trim  linrc  f/onc  to  the  <wn>i/ : 

Admii  Ilt'Iincr  t*i  hoii,  Peter  Doriiig,  Williain  Cox, 
.Iju'ol)  Dulricli,  lioliiu't  Siiiiclit  and  Hiidolith  Hchoo- 
marker. 

Cttpt.  irerter  rojiorted  !J(1  liouseH,  21)  bnriiH  nnd  2 
luillH  as  Idirned,  (I  maloH  and  2  fenudoH  killed,  U  nialcH 
taken  jtnHf)nerH,  and  24  nnden  and  2H  fennden  who  liad 
moved  out  of  Uie  diHtrict  mnce  tlie  eoninienceinent  of 
the  war. 

(!apt.  Wturinj^  reported  .'58  lionscH  84  l)arnH  and  ;i 
niillH  burnt,  2(1  nudcH  and  5  femaloH  killed;  1(5  inalew 
nnd  8  femalcH  taken ;  and  8  nialeH  and  88  fonndeH 
moved  out  sineo  beginninj^  of  the  war. 

Cnpt  Fred  Frank  in  tlie  hke  [leriod  reported  64 
liouseH  hh  barns  and  8  mills  burned,  HH  males  and  10 
females  killed,  37  males  and  11  fenuiles  taken,  and 
11  males  and  44  females  moved  out  of  the  district. 


'  ■= '  r 

# 
'     /;ftJ 

I,  ■- 

'1  .'. 

ii-j.-u'. 

IN  DEX. 


AliiniiH,  ;ti,  ;!;t,  10. 

Albnny,    Aildicus    dl'  ('oiiinion 

('(iimcil,  c)l',  l;t7;  (loiinly.ij'l ; 

(<(iv.    Cliiilon    nocM     Id',    i)(l; 

Millliil,    :i(l,    lilH;  tiiioUl,   i)(l; 

Iniopj*  for,  101. 
Allrii,  ('ii|iliiiii.  77. 
Alli'ii,  l')lir  iczcr,  ')7. 
Allen,  I'll  hull,  jciiloiisy  <)!',  Hi),  h;1, 

115. 
Ailcn,  Miijor,  2!». 
AihIiuscikIc  nciir  Oncidii   Luke, 

t;lO;  (if  Col.  liiowii,  i.y 
Amslcnlimi,  17!),  I.s7. 
Aiulnislown,  l'«',  I  li). 
Aiillioiiy's  Nos<',  ;.'H,  r.l,  1 7:i,  11)H, 

•iU\','^i)'i. 
Arnold,    Co].    Ilrown's    (|iiiirr{il 

Willi,  157. 
Arnold's  irciison,  'dliisi<in  lo,  (i!t, 

(II,  DM,  I,-) 7,  l.-)H. 
Articli's  of  Conrcdcriilioii,  11 ;  of 

fiiliiliiliiiioii  of  Korl,  (icori?<', 

il:.'. 
AsscHsinciil  of  Hii|);|i('H,  Ki. 
AtoiiilonliiiiDMkwcn,  17;!. 


Hiickiis,  >lolin,  7H7. 

Hallslon,  IH,   !'.>!,  1;!|,  IIW,  DM, 

Ml,  Ml;  ciM'iny  nt,  45,  1)0, 

105. 
Harrcll,  Kiisiirii,  It,  1)3. 
Hiilcliclliir,  /ciilmiiiiili,  Ml. 
I{iil('iMi\  ij'iiiirdcd,  ;(;l. 
Hi'iiulifid  KImi  ill  1','inloii,  ViH. 
Hcclicr,  .loliii.  Is. 
Ucl(liii!.C,  Ciiiit.,  !I7. 
Hcldiny:,  Col.,  i)8. 
Ucll,(icorirc  llciirv,  lis,  no. 
J5('lliMi,'cr,  Col.  I'cirr,  Icllcrof,  (15; 

Idler  lo,  from  Oov.  Clinlon, 

fj(i;   Col.,  {{(".dineiit  of, 'JIO, 

a  15. 


IJcnHchoten, . Major,  170,  IHit,  105, 
ll)(l. 

Hcnuon,  Col.,  M4. 

HeiiHon,  Holier!,  I  M. 

Hellilelieni,  N.  V.,  W'X 

Hionnipliieiil  noliees;  Melliiiucr, 
I'eler,(l5;  lirowii.  Col.  .lolin, 
57,(!:inline,.(oliii,  l(il;Ciirle- 
loii,  Cliris.,  lOH;  Cliipniiin, 
Ciipl.  .lolili,  100;  Cook,  Col. 
Louis,  I7)t;   Dnike,  .Insliim, 

UiO;  Dldioi-*,  Keuis,  Hi),  1(15; 
DuiM'iiii,  Itieliiird  ;  (ionlon, 
.liinies,  15;  (iros,  l{e\ .  .loliun 
Dniiiel,  H7 ;  lliirper,  >Iolin, 
1(15;  lliirper,  Williiiin,  171 ; 
lllllilies,  I'eler,  I  10;  .liiiiseii, 
.loliiinnis,  70;  liiiiisiiif;', .loliii, 
Jr.,  1(15;  l,lisli,  Slepheii,  01  ; 
MeCrinkeii,  .losepli,  I'Ji) ; 
.MeKinsiry,  .lolm,  171 ;  .Mur- 
phy, 'I'iniolhy,  K;  I'aller- 
soii,  Kleazer,  7H ;  Schuyler, 
Sleplieil,  i),  I  15;  Slierudiid, 
Adriel.llj;  Snyder, .loliaii ids, 
li:!;  Siaiils,  TiMreiil  ,1.,  II;!; 
Swiirlwoiil,  .laeoliiis,  1(11; 
'I'eil  Mroeek,  Alirahiiin,  1  l;i ; 
'riionias,  'riioiiiiis.  Kit;  \;iii 
liunlschoieii,  Kliiis,  I  ;0;  \nn 
HeiisMi'liier.ltolierl,  101;  Van 
Selmiek,  Col.,  0,  (17;  Van 
\'c;ilileii,  llendriek,  17((; 
Van  VVoerl,  Lewis,  M:i ; 
V"e(lcr,  Volkeil,  lil;  Vroo- 
nian,  Waller,  |;i();  Wihsier, 
Allen,  111;  Weissenfcls, 
Frederick  II.,  147;  Wcmpcl, 
Aliraliaiii,  i:il ;  VVoolscy, 
.MelMiielon  L.,  IH,  51  ;  Villi's, 
Chiislopher  I'.,  'JO. 

nicc<ker,  .lohn,  HO,  HI. 

Hloodv  I'olid,  Vi-',  l',':t. 

Hoard' of  War,  SI 


n 


21S 


INDKX. 


128,  134. 
3a,    57, 


Boiriirt,  Oapt.,  48. 

Boston,  Convention  at,  75, 

Hnulnor,  Licnt.,  84. 

Brant,  .losepli,  17,  1!),  3(!,  !i(),  liH, 

!t4,  43,  47,  55,  (i8,  7(1,  80,  81», 

!);i,  !)(i,  l()(t,  154,  174. 
Bratilcboroujrh,  78. 
British  Agents,  inllncnco  of,  HI. 
Brown,  llcnrv,  58. 
Brown,  Col.  John,  .Ifi,  57, 77, 110, 

lii!),  155,  l«(i,   107, 173,  180, 

187,  1811,201,303. 
Bryon,  Matthew,  00. 
Btiek  Island,  02. 
Bulliilo,  173. 
BulwaK.tra  Bay,  38,  45, 
Biirjiovne's     fnvasion, 

148. 
Butler,  ("ol.  John,  17,  43,  47,  70, 

8!l,  !)3,  i)0,  100,  154;  evfuts 

due  to,  313. 
Butler's  Hcjrinient,  27. 
Bulterlield,  Benj.,  78. 


Cadaiurhritv,  171. 
radorotlv,'l71. 
Cambridge,  N.  Y.,  143.  ' 

Canada,    e.\|)edilion    from,    ex- 
pected, 40. 
Canajoharie,  20,  30,  34,  58,  85 
88,   115,   135,   138,   13!),   188, 
li»4;destroyed,  34,  311,313; 
easualties  at,  37. 
Canajflisiorajra,  137. 
Canashrajra,  130. 
Caneseraga,  130. 
Cannon,  enemy   .supplied  with, 

42. 
Cantine,  ('ol.  John,  104. 
Capilulalion  of  Fort  Cieorge,  33. 
Carlelon,  Major  Christopher,  43, 
44,  8it,  ',13,  !)!»,  I(»8,  133,  124, 
133,  134,  13.5. 
Carleton  Island,  120, 
(larleton,  vessel,  !(!». 
Castle,  1!»3. 
Castleton,  143. 
Casualties  in  'l>von  eoimty,  table 

of,  315. 
Cattle,  press  warrant  for,  120. 
Caughnawaga,  55,  123,  173. 
Cayuiia,  N.  Y.,  140. 
Cedars,  173. 

Cliambly,  (!ol.  Brown  at,  57. 
Charleston,  32. 


Chnrlotte  oounty,  81,  24, 21),  132 ; 
quotas,  00. 

Cherry  Valley,  17,  20. 

Chin,  Mr.,  l44. 

Chipman,  ('apt.  John,  44,  03,  03, 
100.  115. 

Chittenden,    (iov.,    letter  of,   to 
(Jov.  Clinton,  111. 

Chuektininula  creek,  171). 

Chuckliminda  hill,  180,  185,  187. 

Church  biu'ned  at  Stonu  Arabia, 
110. 

Clnireh,  Timothy,  78. 

('inge,  Adam,  87". 

Clapp,  Daniel,  154. 

Clark,  Major,  00. 

Claverack,  04,  105. 

Clinton,  Oov.  DeWitt,  88. 

Clinton,  (Jov.  (Jeorge,  20,  38,  53, 
54,01,  204;  letters  to,  from 
Col.    Van   Schaick,  07,   74; 
Lt.    Col.    Johainiis    Jansen, 
(H),  71;  Col.  J.  Newkirk,  73; 
(Jen.  H.  Van  liensselaer,  70, 
04,   103,    115,    117;   Col.    K. 
Patterson,    77;    eiti/ens    of 
Trvon     eountv,    83;      Ste- 
phen  Lush,    80;    (ien.    \V. 
Heath,  101;  (^ol.  B.  1.  Staats, 
100;    (Jov.    T.    Chillenden, 
111  ;     Isaac     Stoutenburgh, 
113;  (Jen.   Ten  Broeek,  113, 
114,    113,    l.-)0;    Col.     Lewis 
1)11  Bois,  110;  (Jen.  Schuvler, 
133,  140;  Col.   A.  Webiter; 
(Jen.   Wa.shintjton,  1.50;  let- 
ters  of,  to  C()l.  .Jansen,  00; 
Col.  Newkirk,  70  ;  Col.  Paw- 
ling, 73  ;  (Jen.  Washington, 
74,07,  151,   157;  citizens  of 
(Uimberland     county,      78 ; 
Col.   (J.    Van   Schaick,    81  : 
(Jen.   P.   Schuvler,  H'2 
135;    Col.    Klock,  87,' 
(fen.   Van    Bensselaer, 
(Jen.  (Ireene,  00;  Col. 
linger,    120;    Kbenezcr 
sell,  133  ;  James  Duane, 
(Jen.  Heath,  147;  address  oi' 
mayor   and   council  of  Al- 
bany; 137;  rcplvof,  13!). 
Clinton,  Sir  Ih'iiry,  33. 
(Minton,     (Jeiu'ral     James, 
command    at    Albany, 
82,  101. 
Clinton  Co.,  48. 


105, 
130; 
05 ; 
Bel- 
Bus- 
,143; 


to 
43, 


\.Li 


INDKX. 


210 


CMolhinK,  want  of,  150 ;  Bupplicd, 

HO,  81. 
Clolliilltt  ajrcill,  HO. 

oioyi,  Capi.,  air.. 

(Jlyilc,   (!(il.    Hamiu^l,   luatimoiiy 

of,  1114. 
(!(ilmul)ia  CollcKi',  HH, 
OoiiawHj;!'  il<'»lri)yi'(l,  H5. 
OomicdU'til,  (Icli'satt's  iVoin,  75. 
(Joiiii('(^ti(uit    Valli'v,  o,\|)('dllioii 

to,  4(1,  i:tl>. 
(/'oiiiu'sti;u;oiie,  178. 
('onvcntion  of  BtiilOB  ut  HoHton, 

75. 

Cook,  Col.  i.ouis,  17!),  aoa. 

(Joppcriioll,  Nicholas,  H7. 
(Jornplaiilcr,  ancwloUi  of,  VHi. 
Coniwallis,  1(W. 

Countryman,  Adam,  87,  174, 1114. 
Court  of  liHiuirv,    procciMliiigs 

of,  1(14;  (Wisioii  of,  aOH. 
Cox,  William,  315. 
Crown  Point,  27,  45,  11(1,  155. 
Cruelty  of  Indiana,  alli'^i'd,  44. 
Cumberland  C<)unty,ai,24,i!8,7H. 
CuHhing,  'riion)as,  75. 
(!uyl(!r,  Mr.,  11(1. 
(Juylcr,  Col.,   (10,   143,  17(1,    181, 
■  101,304,  305. 


Dam^(^  Shi)),  Kl.'t. 

DcciMionofiloMrtof  In(iuiry,308. 

I  )i'pr('('ialion  of  cum'ncy,  88, 314. 

Dcscrlcr,  IIH. 

DfVVin,  .Major,  73,  7;t. 

I)cVK''i'',  •''•tt'r,  H.,  H4,  H7. 

Didrich,  .lucoli,  315. 

nillcnlicck,  .lohn,  50. 

Disaircclcd  fannlics,  84. 

Dorinu^,  IVlcr,  315. 

Drake,  .losliua,  1;)0. 

Drake,  Col.  Samuel,  letter  to, 
from  ('apt.  Lawrence,  130. 

Driskill,  Joseph,  131,  1H0,  181, 
100,  303. 

Duane,  .lames,  letter  to,  from 
(Jov.  Clinton,  I4;t. 

Duane,  Mrs,,  14(1. 

Dubois,  Col.  Lewis,  (10,  11(1,  110, 
153,10(1,  1(17,  Kin,  1(18,  1(10, 
170,  187,  IHO,  103,  10;!,  105, 
100,  107,  301,  307;  J,ewis, 
letter  of,  i>  (}en.  Van  Hen- 
sselaer,  118;  Gov.  Clinton, 
HO. 


Drew,  Mr,,  157. 


Duncan,  (.'apt.  Uii^hard,  55. 
Dutchess    (lounty,    34;    ip 
00. 


(uotas, 


Dyckmun,  HumpHon,  letter  of,  lo 
(lov.  (Minion,  117;  tesliuKHiy 
of,  1H5. 


Kast  Canada  (Ireek,  143. 

Kllioll's,  173. 

Epitaph  of   Timothy    Murphy, 

03. 
Escort  of  provlslonH,  156. 


Falintc,  .lolin  A.,  50, 

Fall  hill,  IIH,  110. 

Federal  jfoverumenl,  early  inove- 

miait  toward,  75. 
Fecck,.Iolin,47. 
Fer^fuson,  (!<>l..  Kilt. 
Ferry,  lOO. 
Fisher,   ('ol.,   re^finxml    of,   310, 

31 1   313  315. 
Fishkill',  T54!  T(I4.' 
Florida,  N.  V.,  173. 
Flour,  press  warrant  for,  130, 
Floyd,  Mr.,  14(1. 
Folllot,  Oeo.,  148. 
Fonda,  Adam,  100, 
Fonda,  .lellis,  1)3,  H7, 
Fonda  villaK(^  55. 
Foord,  Cap!.,  4H. 
Ford  wh(!re   the  enemy  crossed, 

1H,5. 
Fording   of  riyer,  IHO,  100,  20!), 

304. 
Fort  Ann,  34,  4:),  57,  80,  iC),  00, 

08,    00,    100,    133,    1!);),  1!)0, 

1.55. 
Fori  (,'arleton,  (13. 
Fori   l)ayt<m,3;),  !)5,  137. 
Fort  Kdward,  3;),  34,  44,  O:),  0(1, 

00,  110,  134,  138,  141. 
Fort  (ieorse,  80,  03,  05,00,  100, 

I  (Ml,  133,  i;t:i,  i;)(i,  15.5. 

Fort   Herkimer,  '3:1,   (11,  03,  70, 

110,  137,    147,   148,  150,  10!), 

107,  108,  307. 
Fort   Hunter,  34,  54,   104,  107, 

110.  144,  171,  173,   177,  170, 

180,  185,  187, '301. 
Fort  Kieat  ions,  location  of,  33. 
Fort  at  Johnstown,  38. 
Fort  Kuyscr,  57,  50, 


220 


INDEX. 


Foil  Xiimarn,  17,  11). 

Fort  I'aiis,  :>(i,  ;)'2,  5(1,  r.r,  -)<» 

Fort  I'liiiii,  ^';i,  Td,  ik;,  kki^  kjm, 
17>J. 

Fort  I'liiiik,  i.i,  ;!,->,  7(i, 

Fort  lifrisscliicr,  til),  7(i,  l;il  144 
Uu,  Kis,  I7:i,  IW),  hsi  '  1H4' 
lH!t,  1!)4,  2t);!. 

Fort  Scliiivlfr,  •,>;!,  ;io,  ;!;i,  ;j(!  ;{8 
4-.', .-.:(,  (i-,>,  (IS.  7:>,  74,  7.v'  77,' 
W),  !t4,  OS,  IIS,  llii),  144  140 
14S,  im,  KiO,  1(11,  !{))). 

Fort  Stimwi.\,  riiiiior  of  I'liDtiiic 
81. 

Fort  I'liilii),  ^r,'i. 

Fox's  mills,  l,->4,  181,  184. 

Friiiik,  Fred.,  21,-). 

Fiy,  .Miijor,  188. 

Fiiltonv'illc,  K.  v.,  10(>,  na. 


Oiiixc's  hill,  I'M.  ■ 

( ill  1  way,  l;il.  I 

Giiiiscvoorf,  Col.  Peter,  44,   101     ' 

n»!i,  1 -',•),  i:tt,  i4t),  147,  i.-ir,; 

<!:inliiiicr's  Fliitis,  172. 
Oarlock  .lolm  Clirisliiiii,  IKi.    t 
(iiil-oiiu  creek,  ;i2,  l.-)2. 
(tJirrisoiis  of  frontier  jiost,  127. 
Oarrisoii   iliity,   irksoinencss  of, 

(Jatcs,  (ieneral,  ru,  j 

(icliliard,  >lohii,  Jr.,  'ill  j 

ticrinaiii.  I.ord.ti:!,  l;j;j.  ' 

Gcriiiaii    Flails,   21,   ;!t>,   ti,",,   (i7 

IIS,  11!),  I  to,  211). 
Cicnnaiilowii,  (id. 
(Jilk'l,  Mr.,  101. 
Glen,  Henrv,    102,   lii;!,  107    120 

177,  180. 
Glen,  H.,  letter    to,  from    Col 

Vccilcr,  102. 
Glen,  town  of,  I7;i. 
Goodman,  Dominas,  87 
Gi'Mnville,  142. 
Green,  Gen.,  07,  101;  leiter  to, 

from  Gov.  Clinton,  !)(i. 
Gioi;;  15ay,  12S. 
(iros,  .Joiiaii  Daniel,  87. 


Gordon,  ,Ja 
Gnildeiiand,  i;iO. 


»■),  4(i. 


Ilald 


Half  Moon  Point,  33. 
'    Hall's  I'oMirhkeepsie  Journal,  05 

Hanover.  N.  II.,  82. 

Hanson,  I'cter,  100. 

Harper,  Capl.  Alexander,  11). 

Harper,  Col.  John,  2!),  111(1,  175 
18!',  l!io,  aoi;  tfstimony  of, 
I  (I."). 

Harper,  William,  i71. 

Harperslield,  1',),  22,  105,210. 

Harris,  William,  78. 

Harrison,  y.  Y.,  104. 

H.irvestins'  prolee|e(i,  ,'i(l,  85. 
Hauuiiton,  .Major,  l(i,  i;i4. 
Hay,  Col.  I'dnV,  ll;i,  117,  141. 
Heath,  (Jencral,  s;i,   150;  letter 
to  (rov.   Clinton,  101;  letter 
to,  from  Gov,  Clinton,  147. 
lleliron,  N'.  V.,  m 
Jlelleliergh,  l;!l. 
Jtelmer,  Adam,  215. 
Henderson,  {'a|it.,  154. 
Hendriek,  Leonard,  78. 
Herter,  Capl.,  ai5. 
Herkimer,  2:!. 

Herkimer,  (ie-i.  Nicholas,  118. 
Hessians,  47. 
Hinsdale,  Vt.,  78. 
How,  Artemas,  78. 
Hid>er,  ('apt.,  215. 
llufihes,   .Major,  2:1,  42,   02    80 
140,  1,50. 


■'""1'"'  !''•  *^'"'-  •'"Imiinis,  40,  70, 
7i!,  74. 

■lansen,  1,1.  Col.  Johannis,  letters 

of,  0!),  71  ;  letters  to,  00,  71, 

Johnson,  ^'ir  John,  20,  27,  42  47 

•'    '"   51,  55,  57,'58,'(i2,' Oil' 


50, 


Jol 


48 

7 

1 

172,  ISO;  rents  due  to,  21 


'<i,  80,  !)(),  o:!,  !()(;,  118,  121 
l;!4,     l;!.-.,     147,    1,54,     Kio! 

IT'>     IMO  .     ivi.iti.    .1 ,1... 


luson,  Sir  W'i 


John.son,  Sir  William, 

200. 
Johnston,  William,  !);!. 


lain,  i),),  170. 


Vh 


ice  ot, 


Joh 


islown,  IS,  21,  2;i,  20,  28,  ;i5, 
l'^2,  154  ;  memorial  froin,'8;i,' 
Carleton   siiid  to   heat,  108. 


Kaselman,  John,  S7. 


1^3. 


(Governor,    O;!,   (14,        Ivatskill,  I( 


Keillor's  Mill,  55. 


INDEX. 


221 


Kcliimii,  ((('(ii'Lrc,  h7. 
Kcvwr,  Ciipt.  .Iiiliii,  IH. 
Kilk'd  1111(1  wdiimlcti,  i:t."),  i;i(i. 
Kiii^isliinv  liiiiiil,  J;!. 
Kinfj;slim(i  diMlricI,  ti."),  210. 
Kinnslon,  !IT. 
Kii'kiiiiiii,  .liiiiics,  l):i. 
KlcicU,  Col.   Jucol)  1.,  2I\.  HT,  1)1. 
KlocU,  ('(il.,  IctliT  to,  Irom  (Jov. 

Cliiiloii,  H7,  CJd. 
Klix'k,   Col.,   n\u;iiii('iit  of,    211, 

21.->. 
KlockV,  flclil  Imttli'  ot;  (10. 
K lock's  plucc,  <tO,  182. 
Klock's  lioiiM',  1!)1,  li)."),  IWI,  107, 
Kiiowlloii,  Mr.,  71t,  li;!. 


LiiKiiyclli',  .M;in(iiis,  lOH. 

li'lloiiiiiirilicii,  H/.iii,  14(1. 

Jjiiirs,  Ilciirick,  S7. 

liiiirs,  Williiiiii,  H7. 

Luke  Cliiniipliiin,  22,  27,20,  0(1, 
100,  l:!  t,  42,  4)!,  7(1. 

Luke  (Jcoriic,  24,20,  :!0,  45,  ,17, 
()2,  0;i,  100. 

Laiisinu;,  Cii|)t.,  48. 

hiiiisliiir,  .loliii,  Jr.,  1,51,  l(i,-.,  1(10, 
100;  Icllir  of,  to  (iov.  Clin- 
ton, 107;  tistiiiioiiy  of,    108. 

]iaiii'i'iiri\Ca|il.  .I.,.lr.,  Ii'tl('f()f,t() 
Col.  S.  Drake,  120. 

Lcnislatiiic  coMvcncd,  10. 

Lcltoy,  .Mr.,  18((,  180. 

L('vi('.'<  for  (IcH'iisc  of  fronticrH, 
25. 

iiCyi),  Adam,  87. 

Lincoln,  (!cn.,  57. 

Mlllc  Falls,  18. 

Iavin;rsion,  Col.,  44,  01,  07,  110, 
115,  12;!,  180, 

laviiisiston.  Col.  Henry,  .Ir.,  117; 
lelter  to,  fn. in,  Capl.  Slier- 
wood,  00. 

laviliffsloii,  I'eler,  U.,  1 17. 

Iiivin,si;stoii,  Uolierl,  1  Ki. 

Liviiif^stoii,  (Jov.  Will.,  81. 

Liviiifrstoii,  N.  Y.,  74. 

Jjosses  of  Trvoii  ('o  ,   lalil 
215. 

Ijoiidon's 
121. 

liouis,  Co 

Low  ville. 


of. 


I'acket,   article   from. 


.,  202. 
N.  Y.,58. 
Lush,    Slephen,     01,   07;   letter 
from,  to  (Jov.  Clinton,  80. 


McAlpin's  Itejrt.,  i:!(l. 
McCracken,  Major  .loscpli,  120. 
iMcCrea,  Coloii(4,  27. 
MeCrea,  Dr.  Stephen,  114. 
AicDonald,     DoiiakI,    iiicnrsion 

of,  ;!7,  (15. 
McDonald,  a  refiij?'''',  45. 
jMcl)()ii;;iill,(>en.  Alexiuulcr,  14(t. 
McKarlan,  Mr.,  141. 
Maeliin,  'riioinas,   157. 
.McKinsirv,  Major .loliii,  17!l,r('4, 

182,   '187. 
.Malcoiii,Col.  Winiani,  ;)(l,73,  78, 

74,  8i»,  00,  01,04,07,08,130, 

157  ,  letter  of,  to  (Jen.  Van 

l{inss(4a('r,  Oil. 
Massachusetts,    Delej^nU's   from, 

75. 
Maylleld,  20. 
JMciiiacatiiifi'e,  ',\. 
Memorial  of  eili/ens  ol'  Slicncc- 

tady,  i:il  ;  of  supervisors  of 

Trvoii  Count V,  200, 
Miaiiii.'liatlle  of,  'l:i(). 
Middlcliiiri,di,21,47,  48. 
.Miliiia,  orj^ani/alion  of,   24;  for 

fiuardin;;-  forts,  25, :!();  rallied 

in     pinsiiil,    20;    sent     up 

.Mohawk  Valley,  IKi ;  iiiiichl 

he  ealleil  out,  41  ;  calleil  out, 

4:!. 
Milford,  N.  V.,  171. 
Mills,  Ahrahani,  141. 
Minisiiik,  10,  7;!. 
Mohawk  DislricI,  212. 
Mohawk  Indians,  l:{4. 
Monmoulh,  148. 
Montreal,  20. 

MoMiuneiii  lo  Col.  Hrown,  58. 
Morris,  J.ewis  !{.,  180,  107. 
Morlars,  42,80,  157. 
Mount  Deliaiice,  57. 
Mount  Indepeiidenee,  57,  128. 
Muller,  Capt.,  48. 
Miiiiro,  .Major  .lohii,  45,  4(1. 
.Murphy,  'riiuolhy,  51,  58. 


Is'ash,  Aaidu,  70. 
Naviuati  >ii  of  Moliawk,  ;IH. 
Nepoueck,  7;!. 
Nesti^uiiM,  100. 
Ne.s(i;;(iiia,  n8,  170. 
New  City,  2:!, 

New  1  lampsliiie,  dclegiites  from, 
75. 


222 


INDKX. 


Oov. 

(}()V. 


185. 


New  llmnptiliiiv  (Jrnnis,  30,80, 
70,  OH,  no.  144,  14."i. 

Ncwkiik,  Col.,  letter  to  Oov.  Clin- 
ton, 7;!. 

Ncwkirk,  .Iiicol),  70,  74. 

Ni'wkirk,  liMlcr  to,  IVoin 
Clinton,  7:1;  li'tici-  of 
Clin  on,  lo,  7tt. 

Nt'wpoi'l,  Krcncli  iil,  75. 

Ncwlown,  Hiillle  of,  148. 

Ni'wtown-Miulin, '..".',  210. 

Niiijiani,  III,  4-J,  8(i,  80,  1;14, 

Niskavnnii    178. 

Nivcn\  Kill,  70. 

Noiiniins       Kill,       (ifttlcnu'iits 
attiickcd,  !ir». 

Nose    (8eo     Anthony's     Noae). 


O'Biiil,  35. 

Oenuniio,  scout  to,  77. 
01tl-K;iu:lii',ul  Distriet  aliiindoned, 

',M0. 
Old  Farms,  172. 
Oneida,  15;{,  154;  enemy  at,  88, 

80,  08;  expedition  l>v  way 

ot;  42.  •  I 

Oneida  Castle,  28. 
Oneida   Indians.  153,   100,   104, 

204;  jealousy   of,   18;  lidtli- 

Inl,  81  ;  removed  to  Shenee- 

tadv,  82,  141. 
Oneida "l/ake,  expedition  by  way 

of,  47. 
Oneida     seltleiuents,     rumored 

deslruelion  ol',  82. 
Orange  Counly,  24  ;  (piolas,  00. 
Ordnance  captured  from  enemy, 

121. 
Oriskanv,  Imttle  ol",  118. 
Oswejratchie,  188. 
Oswego,  (12,  185. 


Palatine,  20,  28,  82,  110,  188. 

Palaliiu!  Hridffc,  50. 

Panton,  128. 

I'aris,  Isaac,  88,  214. 

Patterson,  Col.  KIcazer,  71,78; 
liCtter  of,  to  Gov.  Clinton, 
77. 

Pawlinir,  Col.  Levi,  104. 

Pawlinjr,  Col.  All.erl,  25,70,71, 
72;  letter  to,  from  (iov.  Clin- 
ton, 72. 

Pcasley,  181. 


Pellinu-er,  Col.,  07. 

Petit  ion  of  citizens  of  Trvon  Co., 

85. 
Phillips,  Major,  78. 
PillsOeld,  M'iiss.,  57. 
Plallslnnfih,  48. 
Poole,  Capl.,  48. 
Pou^'hkeepsie,     tO,    00,    00,    07, 

105. 
Praekness,  150. 

Pralt,  \A.  Col.  David,  187,  188. 
I'risoners,  17,  10,  154, 
Provisions,  scarce,  00,  02, 04,  08, 

102,    117,    20(1;    forwarded, 

112. 
Putnam's  Point,  138,  Hli. 


Qiiclicc,  188. 
Qucensbnrv  burnt,  44. 
Quotas,  00,    102;  provided   for, 
158. 


Hav,  .Mr ,  148. 
liaymcnls  Mills,  128. 
Hecruidiig  for  army,  41. 
Hcinlistineiit  of  Irdops,  25. 
Heimensiiyder's  lliisli,  18. 
Hens.sclaci',  Oen.    Sec  Vdn  liens- 

selacr. 
Uenis  diu'  to  Jolinson  and  Uutlcr, 

218. 
Heseue  from  torture,  174. 
Hcward  oU'eri'd  for  a  spy,  100. 
Hies,  Hcv.  .lohn  Frederick,  110. 
Hivinjttoii's    (Jazettc,   (luolalion 

from,  01. 
Hoof,  Hcv.  (ierrit  L.,  .58. 
Hoot,  N.  Y.,  28. 
Hoscboom,  Cap!.,  104. 
Hoscndal,  170. 
Hosie,  ,)olin,  178. 
Uussell,  KbcMczcr,  letter  to,  from 

(iov.  (ilinton,  183. 


Saeondnga,   151  ;  iJlock  House, 

18. 
St.  John,  80,  40,  122. 
St.  .lohnsville,  (!0,  188. 
St.  He-is,  178. 
Sall'ord,(;ol.,  122. 
Sah'm,  N.  V.,  127,  l'!2. 
Saratoga,  28,  70,  U)0,  114,   115, 

128. 


INDKX. 


228 


Hcnrcilv,  (onipliiliitH  of,  211,  'i\'i, 
•J(li. 

Hchi'Mci'liKly,  8»,  87,  10(1,  1(»7, 
110,  110,  Ml,  ItH,  ir.l,  I, 1,5, 
171,  17'..',  177,  1H5,  IHtl,  1H7, 
111^,  nil),  'M);  li'()(i|m  nillii'd 
111, 'Jit;  lmlinn«iil,!t:i;  expedi- 
tion liileiideil  I'oi', '15;  iniopM 
linive  III,  M;  lueeliiiir  of 
citi/.eiiH  of,  54  ;  iiieiiiorial  of, 

i:il. 

Hcliolmrie,  2:1,  101»,  m7,  144,  151, 
157,  177,200;  I'oi'tsdiwrilied, 
84,  47;  IroopH  ill,  27;  al- 
Incked,  111,47,  41t,  lOJ,  105; 
llres  seen  111  Helieneelil(ly,5!l. 

Relioliiiiie  Conrl  Mouse,  40. 

Selioliiirie  Kill,  151. 

Heliooiilioveii,  Colonel,  !i7. 

Hililivler,  (;eii.  I'hilip,  W,  105, 
1011,  114,  r,':;,  140,  105;  or- 
dered in  II  eerliiin  eiise  lo 
iiireHl  Allen,  !iO ;  iiolilles 
iippeiininee  ol'  eneliiv,  4'J ; 
leller  lo,  I'ldin  (Jov.  Clinlon, 
82,105,  125;  lellerol',  lo(  Jov. 
Clinlon,  12:1,  110. 

Hchnvler.Col.  I'liilipl'.,  107,1111. 

Sclurvlfi-,  Col.  Hlephen  1.,  KHt, 
115. 

Selinvler,  Miijor,  1H(I. 

Heliuyler's  Uegl.,  105,  10(1. 

Heonondo,  :il. 

Heoleii  loiieM,  21. 

HeotI,  (li'difje  (1.,  45. 

Heolt,  (ien.  .loliii  Morin,  14(1. 

Ht'Ki'l',  lleni'y,  7H. 

HetilenientH,"  exlent  ol',  in  I7H0, 
21  ;  broken  up,  27. 

Hlmwuiifjnnk,  40,  (lit,  71. 

Shell,  .lolin  CliriHliiin,  :17,  (15. 

Hherwood,  Ciipl.  Adiel,  4!i,  Hit, 
iW,  IM),  101,  122,  12:i;  leller 
of,  lo  ('(d.  II.  l,iviii,nslon,I)l». 

Hlierwood,  Mis.,  101. 

Hlioeiniiker,  Hii(i<dpli,  215. 

Slioeniiikei's,  1117,207. 

Slioeniiikei's  Lund,  120. 

Hidiiev's  .Mills,  10;i,  IO(i,  107. 

Hiniin's,  .1.  !{.,  .'i;!,  7(1 

HkeeneslioroiiKli,  IH, 2 1 , 2:1, 24,  2(1, 
57,  12H,  IW,  1,50. 

Sloiinsville,  10;i. 

Hmielit,  I{ol)ert,2l.5. 

Hinitli,  .lohn,  2:t. 

8niitli,  .loslinii  H.,  1.57. 


Hniilli,  Sclh,  78. 

Hniilli,  Mr.,  7». 

Sinylli,  Dr.  (ieiirge,  100. 

Hnell,  .lolii  ,  H7. 

Hnyder,  .hieoli,  141. 

Snyder,  Col.  .loliiinnlH,  Hit. 

Soiilh  llii.v,  411. 

Soiitliern'CHinpiiiK>i,  lO-l. 

S|)rukers,  .55. 

SprhiKlield,  22,  210. 

Spy  III  .lolmslown,  101. 

SliiiilM,  Col.  H.  I.,  li;i,  200;  leller 

oi;  lo(  toy.  Clinlon,  10(1. 
Stiirlii)^,  Ciipl.,  215. 
Stone  Ariiliiii,  27,  ;I2,  lUt,  42,  5(1, 

57,  5H,  511,  Mil,  04,  115,  U\r,, 

i:i(l,  144,  17:1,  IHH,  20:1. 
Stone  Aniliia  riilenl,  11(1. 
Stone  Hidce,  I7il. 
Stone,  Williiini  {,.,20. 
Stoiitenliiir^'li,    Isiiiie,    letter  of, 

lo  Coy.  Clint 112. 

»illiiviin,()eiieiiil,  17,  14H. 
Superyisors   ol'  'I'ryoii  (!o.,  nie- 

inoriiil  ol',  2011.' 
Supplies  lor  iinny,  KIO,  1(11. 
Siisipielianniili  21,47,  (15,  1.54, 
Swartwont,   (Jen.  .lacolms,   1(14, 

20H. 


Taxes  ill  kind,  :!H,  41,  Wl,  00. 
Ten  Hroeek,  (Ien.  Aliraliain,  IH, 

27,42,H2,1)0,1)2,  !i;i,  105,  I  (Ml, 

li;i,  lUI,  147,  1.55,  1.50;  letter 

of,  lo  (lov.  Clinlon,  llll,  114, 

142,  1.50. 
Ten  Hroeek,  Direk,  IKl. 
Ten  Kyek,  lA.  Aliriiliain,  80. 
Tiionii'is,  C(d.,  I((4, 
Tieonderouii,  57,  IHI,  124. 
Tiojfii  routes,  party  by   way  of, 

47. 
ToricH,  81,30,  21),  125,  141. 
Trail  of  enemy  lost,  111:!,  107,207. 
Treiieliery    ol'    Verinonl    peopli! 

silspeeleii,  liil. 
Treiisiire  of  Sir  .lohn  .lohnson, 

211. 
Treat,  Dr.  .Malaclii,  114. 
Trenton,  N.  V.,  4H, 
Tribe's  IIill,2H. 
Tryoii  County,  24;   troops  sent 

to,  27;  petilion  from,  42,  85; 

letter  of  eili/.ens  of,  lo  (toy. 

Clinton,  8!1; 


224 


INDEX. 


Tryoii  County;  (|U()tit,  IH);  liri- 
fimlc,  IM  I'niciiioriiil  ofsiiiHT- 
visi)rs,'JOil ;  tiilik'  oI'losHCi*  in, 
215. 

Tughtinundtt  Hill,  201. 

Tuacarorii  Indiiinw,  iti . 


Ulster  County,  24;  ([iiotiis,  9(». 


Uniulilla,  scout  to,  77. 


Vim  Alstyiio,  Vol,  178. 
Van  Alstync,  Corui'lius,  174. 
Van  Alstync's  Hcgt.,  205. 
Van  Hci'iicn,  Col.  Anthony,  118. 
Van   Uunschotcn,   Major  "Elias, 

i:i(),  17(1. 
Van  Drpscn,  James,  44,  124. 
VanKi)s,l(ir),17;i,  187,201. 
Van  Kss,  Col.,  174. 
Vanetia,  Samuel,  87. 
Van  Hensficlaer,  Henry  K.,  25. 
Van  Home,  l{ev.  Abraham,  58. 
Van  Kensselaer,  Jacob  Rulsen, 

105. 
Van   Hensselaer,    ()en.    Robert, 
;!2,  :ia,  i!(i,  42,  51,   ')-.',  to  ,")(), 
5!)   to   (il,  82,  02,  !)4,  05,  104, 
107,  100,   i:!0,  l!i8.   1.52,  15i), 
107  to  18(i,   101,  104  to  205, 
208;    letter    to,    i'rom    Co]. 
Jlaleom,  O;!;  Oov.   Clinton, 
7(1,  05;  Col.    Louis   Dubois, 
118;  letter  of,  to  (iov.  Clin- 
Um,  94,  10:i,   115,117;  Cen. 
Court    ot   Inquiry   on,   104; 
notice  of,  104. 
Van  Henssdaer,  Stephen,  ll!i. 
Van  Schaick,  Col  U.,  2;!,  27,  20, 
ISO,  81,  07,  102;  letter  of,  to 
(Jov.  Clinton,  (17.  70,  81. 
Van   SchaieU,    Lt.  (i.  W.,  testi- 
mony ol",  104. 
Van  Vejj:hten,  Adjutant,  17(!. 
Van  ■\Voerl,  Col.',  27,  142,  14:i, 
1.50;  letter  of,  to  (ien.  Ten 
Broeek,  142. 
Vecder,  Lt.  Col.  Volkert,  40,  5;j, 
104,     177;    letter  of,    to   II. 
(ileu,  l(r2. 
Vermont  all'airs,  38, 39, 77, 78, 145. 
Virginia,  1('>3. 

Vrooman,  Capt.  Walter,  05, 130, 
Vroonuui,  Coloiu'l,  2fl,   127,142, 
1.53. 


Vroonian's  Land,  47. 


Wallace,  William,  188,  201. 
Walrath,  John,  110,  108. 
Warrant  for  imprisonment,  120. 
Warriner,  Samuel,  78. 
Warner,  Coh)nel,20,  122. 
Warner's  Heuiuii'ut,  122. 
Warren,  Sir  I'eter,  172. 
Warren,  N.  Y.  1 10. 
Warrensbush,  172. 
Washington,  (!en.,  30,30,  30,  70, 
00,08,  102,105,  100,  108,145; 
letter  to,  from  (Iov.  Clinton, 
74,   07;    letter   of,    to   (Jov, 
Clinton,  151,  157,  150. 
AVatson,  Capt.  James,  07. 
Webster,   Col.    Alexander,    111, 
141,  142;  letter  of,  to  Gov. 
Clinl(ai,  128. 
Weissenfels,  Col.,  140,  147,  148, 

1 10,  155,  100. 
Wemi>le,t;o!.  Abraham,  120,131, 

142. 
AVest  Can.'ula  Creek,  23. 
AVcstchester  County,  24;  quotas, 

00. 
West  Point,  03,  04,  ItO,  100. 
AVheeloek,  Rev.  Mv.,  82. 
Whitinir,  Col,  82. 
WhituCreek,   110,  128,  140,143; 

<'nemv  near,  105,  124. 
Whilehiili,  21. 
AVhite  I'lains,  148. 
Whiting,  Colonel,  00,  100,  182, 

lUl. 
AVilliams,  Col.  John,  111. 
Williii-er,  171. 
WilUiw  Basin,  .54_.^ 
Windsor,  N.  Y.,  77. 
Woestviu",  1H7. 
AVolro'd'sfeirv,  175.  104,  108. 
AVood,  Sergeant    \Vm.,  172. 
AVoodbridge,  t^ol..  157. 
Woodward,  Solomon,  10. 
AVoolsev,  Major  Melaneton    T.., 

48,51,  l(y4,  100,200. 
AVv(mung,  17. 


Yale,  Major,  174. 

Yates,  Col.  Christopher  P.,  20,27. 


Zielley,  Capt.  John,  .50,  87.7 


